Traveling when you 're a Muslim

oumyaquine

Fière de ma religion
:hijabi: :salam2: I know it is quite long but I really liked so i share with with you all inch'Allah, Fi Amanillah

Traveling While Muslim: 32 Tips By Abdul Malik Mujahid
http://soundvision. com/info/ terrorism/ traveltips. asp

African-Americans have long suffered from profiling. "Driving while
black" is a known phenomenon. Now, Muslims have joined African-
Americans, as "traveling while Muslim" is the latest challenge in the
post-911 world. Profiling is here to stay. While fighting it is a
noble cause, learning to deal with it is a daily requirement.
It is not just the profiling law and necessary security cautions
which we all must appreciate, but also a little tyranny and insanity
which some human beings in authority display that you need to worry
about. In the last ten years, I have been personally discriminated
against on many occasions at airports. Once, I was threatened with
arrest when I was catching my breath before responding to the
standard security question "has anyone unknown packed your bags...".
Palestinian Muslim Ann Mustafa of Chicago had all charges against
her dismissed by the court for challenging discrimination she faced
at O'Hare airport when trying to leave for the Middle East to attend
her father's funeral. However, she was first arrested, harassed, and
ended up missing father's funeral because of this tyrannical behavior
by some security personnel.
Although Muslims certainly are watched and harassed more while
traveling, there are non-Muslim, white folks who are also subjected
to this tyrannical treatment if they dare to be a bit defiant. Some
of them have very horrible stories to tell. Read what happened to
this member of the American film industry and his pregnant wife.
A lot of brown-skinned people also face harassment. The case of the
famous Canadian writer Rohinton Mistry who cancelled his promotional
tour in the US, is one example. Also, read the horror story of a
brown-skinned doctor who was arrested by US marshals for watching an
incident on a plane "too closely".
As the impending war on Iraq is set to begin, and Muslims continue
to travel for both business and pleasure, reports of discrimination,
harassment, racism, detainment, etc. are coming to the surface. The
solution is not to allow ourselves to become prisoners of the
prejudice. Rather, it is to become street smart and vigilant when we
travel, whether that is within the United States or abroad.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to better prepare for "traveling
while Muslim":
1. Connect with the Powerful
Connect with your Lord. Gather extra energy as you follow the
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, advice while
traveling. Recite the Duas (supplications) of travel and ask that He
makes your trip easy for you and protects you from all kinds of harm.
These prayers will also help you focus on the purpose of your travel
and how to make the best use of it.
2. You're American passport is not enough
A number of Muslim US citizens have had the legitimacy of their
American passports questioned. Even if you are a citizen, keep
several forms of photo identification with you.
Recently, at least four citizens were detained at different US
borders, and at least one was arrested. In one case, US border
officials asked for ID other than a passport, although this American
Muslim regularly travels outside the country. They asked for his
driver's license, which he didn't have, although his passport should
have been enough to allow him reentry into the US. After several
hours, the officials agreed to call his boss to verify his employment
and identity. After this was done, he was let go without any apology
or explanation. In another case, three Muslim friends, all US
citizens, were detained for more than 10 hours while their
backgrounds were checked by US border officials through all agencies.
When they were finally free to go, they were offered neither an
apology nor an explanation.
3. Plan to take an earlier flight
If you have a connecting flight, or a tight appointment, don't take
chances by opting for the last flight. Most of the time, when a
Muslim is stopped for an extra check, the FBI is called in, or some
pilot declares his discomfort with the looks of a passenger, he or
she normally ends up missing the flight. That may mean a lot if you
have a tight connection. A disabled Bosnian-American Muslim
programmer ended up missing his flight when his wheelchair was sent
for examination to the FBI. He got clearance but was too late. All
flights to his destination were gone.
Many Muslims with the last name Khan have reported missing flights
because of their last name. While there has been no hijacker in
history with the last name Khan, you don't want to miss your
appointment because of your choice of flight. So if your appointment
is at 11 a.m., arrive an evening earlier.
4, Make sure all photo IDs carry your most recent photo
One Muslim doctor who is a US citizen recently returned from Umra
sporting a beard, which he did not have on his passport photo. For US
immigration officials this was a problem. He had to almost volunteer
to shave his beard so they could see him without it. Thankfully, he
cleared immigration without having to do that.
5. Leave your phone book and diary at home
Don't keep your personal phone book or diary with you while
traveling. Keep only the numbers you will need while you travel.
Also, avoid carrying your collection of business cards.
Recently, a Canadian born Muslim of Scottish/Irish background had
his entire journal and phone book photocopied by US immigration
officials after he was refused entry to the US. He had previously
traveled many times across the border with no problems. When the
brother protested this violation of his privacy, the immigration
officer said: "you have no rights here."
While you are not doing anything wrong by carrying these personal
items with you, in this time of heightened fear and paranoia, it is
important not to jeopardize the lives of other innocent people who
could be harassed for being included in somebody's phone book.
6. Show up to the airport early
Travelers who are flying are being advised to arrive early to the
airport. For domestic flights, they are asked to show up two hours
before. For international flights, it's three hours. Although those
following this rule normally end up wasting a lot of time at the
airport waiting for their flight, if you are a visible Muslim, it is
very possible that you will be subject to much more scrutiny by
security officers than other passengers.
Those traveling by bus or train should arrive no later than one
hour to one-hour-and- a-half before departure.
7. Items you should not carry
Since the 911 terrorist attacks, there have been a number of items
added to the list of things which passengers are not allowed to bring
with them when they travel, especially by air. There are also
restrictions on how many items travelers can take with them.
Make sure to call the airlines, train or bus you will be traveling
with or go to their website to get this list of approved or
disapproved items. Pack your bags accordingly so that you have no
problems if and when you are asked to undergo a baggage check.
If you are traveling in your personal car, avoid packing anything
that might arouse suspicion (i.e. sharp objects, etc.) if you are
stopped by local police for any reason. It might actually be a good
idea to follow the guidelines for air travelers in this regard.
8. Don't pack anything you wouldn't want the public to see
You could have your luggage searched, due to the heightened
security measures. That's why you need to not only pack light, but
also avoid packing any personal items you would not want a stranger
to see. Even books, photos, and magazines which discuss Palestine and
Afghanistan are a cause of concern if seen by someone who is
suspicious of you for no reason.
9. Try understanding the question first
The check-in staff at airports usually asks you two quick, routine
questions. They sometimes change the phrase, so make sure you
understand whether that question requires a Yes or a No answer. I was
shouted at and threatened when I misheard a United Airlines employee
where I have accumulated several hundred thousand miles.
Although most of the security staff's accent is comprehensible, you
may come across someone whose style of talking may be difficult to
understand. In this case, be careful in comprehending the question
first.
10. Avoid wearing a buckle
If you do wear one, then be ready to unbuckle. When I first
encountered this request, I could not understand the command of the
immigrant security officer. After repeating it a third time, he
unbuckled himself to tell me what he wanted me to do. I was scared to
death thinking he wanted me to drop my pants.
One Muslim woman ended up having to show her belly while struggling
to unbuckle. Born and raised in America, this excellent author has
promised herself to travel by train only after this incident. Her
father being a top insurance executive in the US and donating $50
million dollars to a university, as well as her not observing Hijab,
did not protect her from being profiled.
If you encounter this situation, please note that the security
officer is asking you to turn your buckle around so he can see what
is behind it. I want to dress in a way that doesn't require a buckle.
Any suggestions?
11. Don't use stickers to show the extension of your driver's
license.
Being a good driver, having received no traffic ticket for the past
eight years, I received a sticker from the state of Illinois. I stuck
it on the back of my driver's license to renew it for another four
years without having to make a trip to the Secretary of State's
office.
Bad idea. It was a nightmare to use it. Because of profiling
Muslims have been subjected to even before 9/11, most people who
asked to see the ID assumed I was using an expired license. Forget
convenience. Get a renewed licensed which looks new and has all the
correct dates, etc.
12. Don't allow your t-shirt to speak for you
Slogans and phrases about Islam on the t-shirts of some young
Muslims have been used to harass them while traveling. So unless
being stopped and questioned is your idea of fun, avoid wearing such
t- shirts while traveling.
13. Keep Your Green Card with you
It is required by law for you to have your green card with you if
you are an alien resident. It has not been in enforced in the past
but do not take chances. You can always keep photocopies of your
documents at multiple locations.
14. Keep all identification cards updated and consistent
"Karim Abdul Jabbar" can be written as "Karim Jabbar" or "Abdul
Jabbar Karim" by mistake or for the purpose of abbreviation. Many
offices routinely make mistakes in writing non-English names. Please
make sure that all of your IDs have the correct spelling of your name
and are consistent with each other. Small spelling mistakes in the
past were tolerated by agents with common sense while traveling. Now,
there are more people checking things without common sense or
courtesy. So make sure that everything is in order before you travel.
Also, make sure that all of your IDs have the same name. Avoid
carrying or keeping IDs with aliases or your nickname.
15. Keep at least two photo IDs with you
Be sure to carry two forms of identification at all times. If you
are a green card or visa holder, be sure to carry these documents
with you when you travel, along with an up-to-date passport. Even
while traveling by car, carry at least one other picture ID with you
apart from your license, such as a state ID.
Make sure that all forms of ID that you are using have not expired,
especially passports, visas, and green cards.
16. Where are you going?
This is a normal question which a cop asks while stopping you on
the road. Even at the airport security counter, the purpose of your
travel will be asked about. Based on how you respond, the agent will
start thinking about you. I know a Muslim who spent time in lockup
and had the FBI called to investigate him because he did not give a
proper answer. Make sure you have a clear, precise idea. Trying to be
friendly and volunteering information which is not being asked may be
used against you. Young persons sporting a beard and wearing Hijab
are likely to be stopped more often.
We recommend that you have some documentation of where you are
going. For example, if you are going to a convention, you can keep
the program, invitation, or advertisement about it with you. A
written address of a location of printout of directions can help as
well.
17. What will you be doing?
This is another question immigration officials may ask. Avoid being
vague and give a very precise answer. To do this, you need to prepare
before you get to the immigration counter. If you are planning to
visit a relative or friend, for example, call them before you travel
and confirm with them your plans to visit, along with the dates you
will be there. That way, if officers want to call your relative or
friend to double check your story, there will be no inconsistencies.
18. Look at your boarding pass
If it's got several funny markings or stars on it, it means you
have been selected for extra security checks before you board your
flight. That's why you should not waste too much time browsing at the
airport's stores or in its restaurants before getting on the plane.
Allow yourself more time and be ready.
19. Avoid crossing the borders unless you have a good reason
It was at the US-Mexico border that a friend of mine was asked by
US marshals to come and pick up his stolen car. He went with friends.
After picking up the car they were hungry and since the only
restaurant was across the border in Mexico, they crossed it to eat.
When they returned to enter the US, they were detained for eight
hours and questioned, despite the fact they had all of their IDs in
place and their purpose of visit was clear and documented. When asked
why they had to go through the hassle, all they got was a sheepish
look and they were told "you were at the wrong place at the wrong
time". They did not mention the "Muslim Name" and "Asian Skin" of
these American citizens as a reason.
It is no longer enough that you are legitimate and legal in
traveling with your documents.
20. Be careful when visiting Canada
Forget the good old days of easy travel between the US and Canada
border to say Salam to Niagara Falls and come back with hardly any
need for documentation. Based on our information, we strongly urge
that if you can be profiled because of your looks, religion or
origin, travel with all relevant documents. That means a passport if
you are citizen, green card if you are a resident alien and passport
with visa if you are in any other capacity. Don't rely on anything
else like a birth certificate, etc.
21. Don't confront while being profiled
Don't be offended if you are singled out. Remain calm and allow
yourself to be subject to more scrutiny than other passengers,
especially if you look obviously Muslim because of a Hijab, beard,
the color of you skin, etc. Questioning why you are being singled out
publicly may not be a good idea. It will only make people more
suspicious of you, since they may think you have something to hide.
Even worse, it may give the impression you are trying to break the
law or resist arrest.
Ann Mustafa, a leading Arab Muslim activist, was leaving Chicago to
attend her father's funeral in the Middle East. When she confronted
the security officers for their excessive and invasive checking, she
was arrested. When she said she was going to miss her father's
funeral, the officer told her he wanted to dance on her father's dead
body. Nothing happened to the officer, although she has been cleared
of all charges.
Our recommendation is that you cooperate, be patient, and take
detailed notes of what has happened, as well as the names of those
involved. But avoid confrontation.
22. File your complaint
If you notice officials have definitely discriminated against you,
then note down all of the information on the spot with names, times,
the location, and if there were any witnesses. From there, lodge a
complaint against the airlines with the Department of
Transportation' s Aviation Consumer Protection Division. You can also
call them at (202) 366-2220 or send an e-mail to airconsumer@ ... In
addition, you can send detailed complaint letters to them at the
following address:
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
You should also contact organizations like the Council on American-
Islamic Relations (CAIR), where you can also fill out an incident
report, as well as the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's
(ADC) Legal Department to report your incident and consult with an
attorney.
23. Dress Appropriately
Sometimes, cultural differences confuse officers without cultural
sensitivity training. Before 9/11, I, along with a few friends, was
stopped while rushing to St. Louis for a funeral. The state troopers
surrounded the car from three sides with hands on their guns. When I
told them that I was going to a funeral they became more suspicious.
When all documents were checked and they allowed us to go, I asked
the officer why we were stopped. I thought they were traffic cops. He
did not answer me but said that while we were going to a funeral, we
were dressed casually and there were no other clothes in the trunk of
the car. I tried to explain that in our culture, we do not dress up
for funerals. It was no time for him to learn, however. He was polite
and professional, despite all the profiling. That same weekend an
African-American sister was also stopped on the interstate driving
while in Hijab.
24. Do NOT try to be funny if you fit the profile
Jokes about bombs are taken seriously even if you do not fit the
profile. However, if you fit the profile, and you're trying to
lighten up the atmosphere, the airport, bus or train station are the
wrong places to be funny. In fact, wisecracks about any topics are a
wrong idea. If you are stopped in your car for speeding or some other
traffic infringement, do not joke with the officer about any topics
either. Just wait patiently until comedians eventually start making
jokes about profiling in America.
25. Stay calm and do not start looking in your purse
This is of course easier said than done. But if you are stopped by
an officer while driving do not do anything until the officer
approaches you. Then, do what he or she is asking you to. Do not
reach out to your glove compartment, purse, pocket, the backseat, or
for your cell phone. Remember that in 1999, a brother by the name of
Ahmed Diallo was shot 41 times by New York police who were searching
for a criminal in his apartment building. Br. Ahmed was in the
building at the time, and when the police stopped him, he was
reaching into his pocket to show his identification cards to them
when he was killed. A nervous officer who is profiling you may assume
that you are trying to reach for a weapon. So please allow an officer
to approach your car and tell you what to do before you make any
sudden movements.
26. Avoid being too courteous
Being too courteous while being Muslim may actually get you kicked
off a flight. That is exactly what happened to some young Muslims who
were traveling from Chicago to New York to catch a flight for their
trip to Makkah. During a stopover in Philadelphia, a group of women
boarded and wanted to sit together. These nice Muslim kids offered to
switch their seats with them, but when they got up to do this, the
pilot who profiled them because of their religion (they had white,
brown and black skin colors) kicked them off the plane. Other
passengers tried to explain to the pilot that they were trying to be
courteous. Apparently, the pilot was afraid of what these Muslims
were planning to do. The nice young people had to drive to New York
to catch their flight to Makkah.
So save your courtesy for the right time and right location.
27. Travel in a group
If possible, travel with at least two other people for not only
safety and companionship, but also so that you have witnesses who can
testify on your behalf if you are subjected to discrimination or
other problems. This is also a recommendation of our Prophet, peace
and blessings be upon him.
28. Select a leader if traveling together
This is also a recommendation of our Prophet, to select one person
as leader while traveling together.
29. Write about what happens to you and share your experience
So far, I have come across only with three Muslims who have written
their stories of discrimination while traveling. It is important for
us to write and preserve these experiences. It is not just about
terrorism, it is about tyranny. Today, it is Muslims and brown-
skinned men who are targets. Tomorrow, it will be someone else.
Connect and become part of the ACLU, Amnesty International and other
organizations fighting for human rights and civil liberties.
30. Think of other Americans while traveling
While you are traveling and facing profiling, please think of your
neighbors who are fearful of travel because of terrorism. Terrorism
is real and its fear is real as well. We are still traveling while
Muslims in America despite all the profiling and harassment. But
think of our neighbors who are not traveling to Muslim countries
because of fear for their life as some terrorists have announced
their intention to kill any American they can get their hands on.
Although they are few in numbers, they have shown their evil actions.
They do not represent the majority of Muslims who are known for their
hospitality, but unless the majority checks these fringe groups of
terrorists, we can protest our profiling but cannot stop it
completely. The world has changed.
31. And don't forget to collect your receipts
To document your trip you must have heard of many Muslims accused
of doing wrong who were saved because they had some parking lot or
gas station receipt to prove they were not involved in wrongdoing at
a certain time. In today's world, where Muslims are found guilty by
association, it is important to be extremely vigilant. Collect your
receipts no matter how useless they may seem. That may go a long way
in your defense in case somebody who is profiling you because of your
Muslim name or brown or black skin may decide to charge you with
something you know nothing about.
32. Dedicate yourself to change the world
How long will the world live in this fear. We and our neighbors are
both fearful of the unknown. Dedicate yourself to any cause which may
help humanity and the world to reach a higher level. With each
evidence, with each experience of discrimination, you should only
grow in your resolve to change the world for the better. You haven't
faced anything compared to what the Prophet Muhammad, Moses and Jesus
went through.
 

Sophie

Junior Member
:salam2: Thank you very much for this. While travelling from Jordan to New York with my husband(who is Arab,I am white American) and his elderly and not well mother,we were detained for more than 8 hours once we landed in New York by immigration.We were the ONLY people they were 'processing',but they kept us there for much longer than needed.We stayed there from 1 o'clock in the morning until past 9 in the morning,barely making our next flight. This was in 2004. Both my mother and I wearing hijab and covering,my husband did not have beard,but still I know they kept us there for so long just because they could.:wasalam:
 

oumyaquine

Fière de ma religion
:salam2: SO SORRY FOR WHAT YOU WENT TROUGH DARLING, WE WENT ON HOLLYDAYS TO MORROCO ON JULY. WHEN WE ARRIVED TO MORROCO(YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT MY HUSBAND IS FROM SAN SEBASTIAN IN SPAIN YOU KNOW: WHERE THE E.T.A COMES FROM AND HIS BEARD IS QUITE RED SO AT FIRST HE SCARE PEOPLE:JUST LIKE A PIRATE I GUESS) wHEN WE WERE AT THE FRONTIER THE MARROCAN POLICEMEN SAID TO ME (I HAVE A FRENCH PASSPORT )WHERE ARE YOU FROM? AND THEN HE SAIS WHAT KIND OF PASSPORT IS IT? AND HE CONTINUED WITH MY HUSBAND: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO HERE , AND WHY DO YOU COME HERE , AND WHY THERE'S A VISA FOR SAUDI ARABIA.? AND WHAT HAVE DONE THERE? ETC ETC AND THEN HE CONTINUED THIS TIME WITH ME ARGUING ABOUT MI HIJAB TELLING ME THAT HE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW AN EUROPEAN WOMAN CAN DRESS THIS WAY ETC ETC HE WAS RUDE ,VERY RUDE AND WE WENT TROUGH LIKE THIS FOR AN HOUR AND THEY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT OUR FOUR CHILDREN.NEXT TIME I'LL SPEND MY MONEY IN A KAFFIR COUNTRY:girl3:
 
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