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| Britain |
| The honourable MP for Dewsbury is held at US airport, whinges |
| 2007-10-29 |
| Britain's first Muslim minister said he was "deeply disappointed" yesterday after being detained at a US airport where his hand luggage was tested for traces of explosive materials. Shahid Malik, the MP for Dewsbury and an international development minister, was returning to Heathrow after meetings and talks on tackling terrorism, when he was stopped at Dulles Airport near Washington yesterday morning. He was searched and detained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - the department whose representatives he had been meeting on his visit. Mr Malik said: "After a few minutes a couple of other people were also taken to one side. We were all Muslims." Mr Malik said he was particularly annoyed as he was detained for an hour at JFK airport in New York last year by the DHS - despite the fact that he was a keynote speaker at an event organised by the department. After his 40-minute detention yesterday, he said: "I am deeply disappointed. There was no malice involved but it has to be said that the US system does not inspire confidence." |
| Posted by:Seafarious |
| #12 That's the name given them Which they could never, ever consider changing no matter how repugnant or repellent it might be to the host country they have decided to adopt. Perish the fucking thought. Let's all name our children "Adolph" and "Osama". What a great idea!!! |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-10-29 23:26 |
| #11 I work with a guy named Jihad. Nicest guy you could know. Get smarter than that BS, I know you are. That's the name given them |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-10-29 22:36 |
| #10 if my name was Shahid (or Shaheed version of it thereof), I'd expect to be handled like a radioactive material I'm sure this has |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-10-29 20:57 |
| #9 There was no malice involved but it has to be said that the US system does not inspire confidence Nothing about allowing even invited Muslims into this country "inspires confidence" with me. |
| Posted by: Crusader 2007-10-29 16:43 |
| #8 At one time, back in the TSA's infancy, we had procedures for such occasions. Having left the Thousands Standaing Around employment agency several years ago, I cannot speak to the current state of special handling. If there are any current operatives lurking, perhaps you can expound. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2007-10-29 13:47 |
| #7 I'm surprised he didn't get a DHS escort to get him through the Express Visa Lane. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2007-10-29 13:01 |
| #6 #4: I am surprised we don't give out "good guy" cards for people like Malik Because the next month you'd be flooded with a gazillion Pakistani Counterfeits |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2007-10-29 12:56 |
| #5 Actions Speak Louder Than Words |
| Posted by: SR-71 2007-10-29 10:16 |
| #4 I am surprised we don't give out "good guy" cards for people like Malik who are invited to the States to attend meetings with our government. Just because of his name and ethinicity should not make him an automatic target but then again there is a understandable mathematical coincidence of random selection. |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2007-10-29 09:45 |
| #3 Funnily enough, Mr Malik, plenty of Asians are stopped and searched on the tube too - I wonder why..? |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2007-10-29 08:42 |
| #2 Dunno, but if my name was Shahid (or Shaheed version of it thereof), I'd expect to be handled like a radioactive material, MP or not. Granted, the poor schmuck was given that name, but anone can legaly change name, even in UK. Guess he is wearing it as a badge of honor or sumtin, [shrug]. |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-10-29 03:38 |
| #1 The Department of Homemade Security doesn't inspire much confidence in me either, but this particular incident doesn't lessen it. First few comments to the Scotsman article give cause for some hope that all is not lost in the UK. Well at least not in the Scottish bits. |
| Posted by: Ulailing Scourge of the Faith3257 2007-10-29 00:09 |
