Date Posted: Tuesday, November 21, 2006

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

<<ACTION ALERT>>

MAS to File Letter of Discrimination to the Federal Aviation Administration and Contacts Congress for an Investigation

WASHINGTON, DC - Nov. 21, 2006 (MASNET) Late Monday evening 6 Imams (religious leaders), traveling from a religious leader's conference in Minnesota, were removed from their flight and detained in the airport for questioning. 5 of the detained Imams were from Arizona while one was from California.

Reports indicate that a passenger sent a note to the flight crew indicating that "he felt unsafe with the Imams on-board". Eyewitness accounts have suggested that this was a result of the Imams praying their evening prayers in the airport terminal. Following their release US airways refused to allow them on any future flights although they were never arrested nor charged with any crime. After their 5 hour ordeal the Imams were left stranded at the airport, unable to purchase an outgoing flight on any of the remaining airlines.

"The detention of these religious leaders, and the refusal of the airline to allow them travel, is a gross example of blatant Islamophobia and the violation of the civil rights of Muslim passengers", said Imam Mahdi Bray, Executive Director of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation. "These religious men had already gone through the airport security screening, like all other passengers on the aircraft. The fact that some of them chose to openly pray did not warrant, by any means, their removal from the plane. We call on all decent Americans to speak out against this bigotry and attacks on religious freedoms."

"Last time I checked public prayer was still protected by the U.S. constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and speech. It's a shame that as an African-American and a Muslim I have the double whammy, I have to worry about driving while black and flying while Muslim. We charge the airline with not only discrimination, but with an action that is insulting and demeaning to these Muslim religious leaders, and to all people of faith."

Deedra Abboud, Director of MAS Freedom-Arizona stated that "This incident is just another example in the long list of Muslim discrimination by Airlines. The public disgrace of innocent people is unacceptable and we at MAS Freedom plan to utilize the resources of our 55 chapters nationwide to meet with top airline officials and end this blatant attack on our civil liberties."

MAS Freedom has forwarded a letter of discrimination to Thomas J. Romig, Acting Chief Counsel of the FAA, Chairman of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee Senator Conrad Burns(R-MT), and Ranking Member Senator John D. Rockefeller (D-WV). Additionally MAS Freedom has contacted Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee Rep. John Mica (R-FL) and Ranking Member Jerry Costello (D-IL).

Individuals who are interested in this case are encouraged to contact Deedra Abboud, MAS Freedom-Arizona at: (480) 921-FREE (3373) or

the MAS Freedom national office at: (202) 496-1288

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The Freedom Foundation is the public affairs arm of the Muslim American Society (MAS), a national grassroots religious, social, and educational organization. MAS is America's largest grassroots Muslim organization with over 50 chapters nationwide. Learn more at www.masnet.org

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MAS Freedom Foundation

1050 17th Street NW, Suite 600

Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202) 496-1288

Fax: (202) 463-0686

URL: http://www.masnet.org/index_publicaffairs.asp

Email: MAS4Freedom@aol.com