StarTribune.com
imams031407

Home | Nation

March 14: Imams still 'feel anxiety' flying

Last update: November 20, 2007 - 9:26 PM

WASHINGTON - Almost four months have passed since Didmar Faja was ordered off a US Airways flight at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, but he said Tuesday that he and five other Muslim imams "continue to be defamed and feel anxiety every time we fly."

Faja appeared at a news conference at the headquarters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations after the imams filed a discrimination lawsuit against US Airways and the Metropolitan Airports Commission for being ordered off the flight.

Also at the news conference was Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"First of all, we recognize that there is a legitimate fear in the society post-9/11. But also there is a fine line between being vigilant, which is important, and ... becoming a vigilante, which is dangerous," Awad said.

The airline has said its employees acted properly and in the interests of passenger safety.

The council barred a reporter from the Washington Times and a TV crew from Christian Broadcasting Network from the news conference.

Council spokesman Ibrahim Cooper said that the Christian Broadcasting Network airs anti-Islamic messages and that the Times reporter, Audrey Hudson, has covered the imams' case unfairly in the past.

Hudson disputed that claim and said the council doesn't want points of view other than its own represented.

BRADY AVERILL

Recent Nation stories

The nation's weather - November 20, 2007
The nation's weather - A low-pressure system that has lingered in the Gulf of Mexico the past few days, bringing rain to the Gulf Coast, was expected to finally move inland into the Southeast on Sunday. This was likely to translate to widespread rain and even a few thunderstorms in the area even as the system weakens while moving toward the Southeast coast. More

Comment on this story   |   Be the first to comment   |  Hide reader comments

Subscribe
Most PopularMost EmailedMost Read
Your Photos and Video

Share photos and videos now

Golf

What a game! Nothing like sweeping the Packers with Brett.

See thousands of photos from other StarTribune.com readers and share your own photos and video today.

Homes

Find Your Next Home

Search realtor represented & for sale by owner homes in the Twin Cities. Plus, find open house listings.

Win tickets to see Brett Dennen at Pantages Theatre.

Vita.mn presents Brett Dennen with Grace Potter and The Nocturnals at Pantages Theatre on Nov. 27.

See all contests