5 Russian Muslims, 3 veiled women, and two men flying from the Red Sea Resort of Sharm El Sheikh, returning home to Russia, were taken off the plane after the Captain of the IL-86 aircraft of Atlant-Soyuz Company claimed their appearance aroused his anxiety.
The Captain said he was alarmed by the fact that the women were wearing Hijab, Islamic headscarf, ASN News reported.
Atlant-Soyuz defended the pilot’s racist action as “absolutely justified”.
Although the IL-86 was checked with specially trained dogs, the Muslim passengers were held at the airport for further security check.
The five Muslims flew to Russia the next day, but the women were asked not to wear Hijab during the flight.
Angered by the incident, a spokeswoman for Muslim community in Russia attributed the racist attitude of the Captain to the widespread misconception about Muslims and Islam and stereotyping people who have religious appearance as evil makers, specially Muslim women wearing Hijab, and men having beards or with dark skin.
The spokeswoman stressed that Muslims know how to contain such situations and deal with them with understanding.
Around 20 million of Russia’s 147 million population are Muslims.
But the government had been repetitively criticised by rights groups for fueling anti-Muslim sentiment to boost its mission against separatists in Chechnya.
The Captain said he was alarmed by the fact that the women were wearing Hijab, Islamic headscarf, ASN News reported.
Atlant-Soyuz defended the pilot’s racist action as “absolutely justified”.
Although the IL-86 was checked with specially trained dogs, the Muslim passengers were held at the airport for further security check.
The five Muslims flew to Russia the next day, but the women were asked not to wear Hijab during the flight.
Angered by the incident, a spokeswoman for Muslim community in Russia attributed the racist attitude of the Captain to the widespread misconception about Muslims and Islam and stereotyping people who have religious appearance as evil makers, specially Muslim women wearing Hijab, and men having beards or with dark skin.
The spokeswoman stressed that Muslims know how to contain such situations and deal with them with understanding.
Around 20 million of Russia’s 147 million population are Muslims.
But the government had been repetitively criticised by rights groups for fueling anti-Muslim sentiment to boost its mission against separatists in Chechnya.
das sad wouldn't wana be in that position!!
eace:
