Muslim Minister Stopped And Searched
Britain's first Muslim minister has been stopped and searched at a US airport – after attending a series of meetings on tackling terrorism.
International Development Minister Shahid Malik, the MP for Dewsbury, said he was annoyed at being singled out, especially as the same thing happened to him in the US last year.
Mr Malik – and two other Muslim passengers – were taken aside at Dulles Airport in Washington DC. His hand luggage was analysed for traces of explosive materials.
He was searched and detained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – the same department whose representatives he had been meeting during his visit.
Mr Malik said: “After a few minutes a couple of other people were also taken to one side. We were all Muslims – the other two were black Muslims, both with Muslim names.”
Mr Malik said he was particularly annoyed as a similar thing happened to him last year, when he was detained for an hour at JFK airport in New York by the DHS.
This was despite the fact he was a keynote speaker at an event organised by the department, alongside the FBI and Muslim organisations in New York. The theme of that speech was tackling extremism and defeating terrorism.
Mr Malik said he received numerous apologies and assurances from US authorities after that incident.
After his second detention, which lasted about 40 minutes, he said: “I am deeply disappointed.
“The abusive attitude I endured last November I forgot about and I forgave. But I really do believe that British ministers and parliamentarians should be afforded the same respect and dignity at US airports that we would bestow upon our colleagues in the Senate and Congress.
“Obviously, there was no malice involved, but it has to be said that the US system does not inspire confidence.”
Source: Sky News