While there’s a chance this story is true, I don’t believe it.
A Muslim chaplain and director of interfaith engagement at Northwestern University, Ahmad, 31, was traveling Friday from Chicago to Washington for a conference promoting dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian youth. She was wearing a headscarf, or hijab.
For hygienic reasons, she asked for an unopened can of soda, she said. The flight attendant told her that she could not give her one but then handed an unopened can of beer to a man seated nearby. Ahmad questioned the flight attendant.
“We are unauthorized to give unopened cans to people because they may use it as a weapon on the plane,” she recalled the flight attendant telling her.
When Ahmad told the flight attendant she was being discriminated against, the attendant abruptly opened the beer can.
“It’s so you don’t use it as a weapon,” Ahmad said she was told.
Shocked, Ahmad asked other passengers if they had seen what happened.
A man sitting across the aisle turned to her and yelled, “You Muslim, you need to shut the f— up,” she said.
“What?”
The man leaned over, looked her in the eyes and said: “Yes, you know you would use it as a weapon. So shut the f— up,” according to Ahmad.
“I felt the hate in his voice and his raging eyes,” Ahmad wrote on Facebook while the plane was still in flight. “I can’t help but cry … because I thought people would defend me and say something. Some people just shook their heads in dismay.”
The entire story is based on Ahmad’s story. There are no corroborating witnesses interviews or confirmation from any other source. Ahmad, herself, is a well-known Muslim activist. How many times have we seen an example of a person making up a fantastical tale of discrimination in order to advance a cause? In particular, the part of the story about the fellow passenger saying those awful things… does that have the ring of truth to you? In this day and age, do you think he would say that without another passenger or the flight attendant making a stink about it?
Like I said, while it could be true, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see this story revealed as a hoax within a week.
I don’t believe it either.
Deception is a basic instruction in Islam texts.
I had a flight in Feb, 2 days delayed because of blizzard at O’hare. We landed after a 4 hour flight, also delayed 3 hours because of mechanical issues. Because of mechanical delay, we sat on tarmack at O’Hare for 1.5 hours because the 2 gates Frontier has at that airport, had planes loading on them. 30 minutes in sitting there, a guy got beligerant, after 4 warnings in public by flight attendant to sit down, to the point where the Captain had to come out and restrain him and a police team had to take the guy off. This delayed us 30 more minutes at the gate. People missed connections, etc.
Even in that situation, there was only 2 or 3 passengers speaking up to this guy to sit down and pipe down. Nobody swore, or dropped F bombs. I observed many passengers just annoyed, and afraid to say anything.
So I find it hard to believe 2 different passengers would drop F bombs over something so dumb, when my situation was an actual safety risk.
In this day and age I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss this story. I personally witnessed a white business woman, at the Chicago train station, call a taxi driver who wouldn’t help her with her bags every anti Muslim name in the book as well as some other derogatory terms. However, when she called him a “f’n diaper head” he informed her he wasn’t Muslim, he was Hindu. This went on for about ten minutes and drew a crowd. Not one person came to the drivers defense. As a matter of fact many encouraged her by laughing and cheering. I’m ashamed to say I was one of the people who did nothing. I hope the story is proven false but as we have seen expressed on this blog these anti Muslim attitudes are becoming increasingly common.
Jade,
Your story I believe. In that situation, and maybe its just me, I would say something to defend the driver. I can’t stand that kind of thing when I’m witness to it.
If it was 10 minutes, it would definitely give me enough time to read Romans 8 to the crowd.
The driver did a fine job ignoring her continued insults until the woman finally removed her bags from the trunk. The driver wasn’t in harms way and actually seemed accustomed to such behavior or at least it wasn’t the first time. Although, when I look back I’m ashamed, getting involved at the moment may have actually inflamed the situation especially with an already boisterous crowd. Anti Muslim attitudes are at a heightened state for obvious reasons. My neighbor has no filter and hates Muslims. If he was in that situation he would make it a point everyone heard his opinion and he would have no regrets. These people do exist but the quotes of what the man said don’t make sense, in speech terms. It just doesn’t naturally flow off the tongue to say “YOU MUSLIM, you need to shut the f up”. I have asked for a unopened can of soda on a plane and been denied. So this must be some kind of policy. Did something happen… probably. Is someone capable of saying what the man said… Yes. Do I believe it… Not so much. Do I dismiss it… Not entirely.
Jade,
If deception would not be a basic instruction of the Islam religion, it would be easier to believe this story.
However, since her religion teaches this, we have to take her story with high probability of suspicion that it is untrue.
You, yourself, did not believe ISIS when they took credit for the shootings at the Islamic comedy event.
I’m sure you thought it was deception on the part of ISIS.
In order for us to believe her, we would have to conclude she is a “Muslim in name only” and she ignores the deception part of her religion. That is plausible. However, part of the Islamic world’s purpose/PR is to trick non-muslims into thinking Islam is a peaceful religion, at least until Sharia Law can be implemented, which raises even more concerns.
Kevin,
ISIS would claim responsibility for a frog fart if they thought it would hurt or insult the U.S. That doesn’t mean the actors in the Texas cartoon shooting had any actual communications with or orders from ISIS. What I said was “if they want to claim it they can own it” and we should destroy them. So, me, myself never said I didn’t believe ISIS. As I said above “Do I believe it… Not so much”, “Do I dismiss it… Not entirely” and clearly stated that the statement didn’t naturally flow from the tongue. Meaning if someone is going to say something they probably wouldn’t start out with “You Muslim”. Was something said, maybe but I don’t believe it was as this woman states. Oh wait you don’t want to talk about the actual incident you once again want to have a religious debate. Sorry, but I’m tired of the continued lectures.
Jade,
Since we’ve established that deception is a basic belief of Islam….how do we assign what level of deception to believe when it comes to ISIS vs. this lady? Is it all ideological driven?
In other words, do we disregard the Islamic deception in the interest of tolerance and harmony?
Kevin,
We haven’t established anything. I never said nor have I implied “deception is the basic belief of Islam”. Here we go again with the twisting of facts to suit your needs. Obviously you are not willing to disregard or accept the differences inherent to humanity.
http://www.meforum.org/2095/islams-doctrines-of-deception
Kevin,
Did you read the last paragraph? Anyone can find another that supports their cause that doesn’t make it right. People right similar junk about the bible but I don’t take it seriously. I’m afraid you have found a credible outlet but not a credible source.
Kevin,
The writings of Raymond Ibrahim make a clear distinction between radical Islam and moderate Islam. He also frequently compares how radical Muslims and radical Christians use verses from the Koran or Bible in similar fashions. Literal interpretations of ancient text doesn’t always reflect the modern views of either religion. Mr. Ibrahim actually warns the U.S. Congress not to make the mistake of categorizing moderate Muslims with radical Muslims.
Jade,
There is a vigorous community of former radical Muslims, now converted Christians, making a very compelling case that “moderate” Muslims are a myth.
So called “moderate” Muslims are either, Muslims not following the teachings (Muslims in name only), or are using deception until they can help strike a blow for an expansion of Islam. I’d make the same case for “moderate” Christians, Christians in name only, when a Christian runs around supporting abortion, evolution, abandoning marriage under God’s design, that they are Christians not really living their faith.
Christians living their faith, on the other hand, also do not kill, or advocate killing over blasphemy and disrespect by liberals over depictions of Jesus. (If they do, I can point to a number of bible passaes where they are not living their faith.) In Islam, its part of their sacred texts to kill and hurt others for refusal to convert, or blasphemy of their sacred prophet.
So there are Christians, who may call themsleves that, who really don’t live the biblical teachings of Christianity. Just as there are Muslims who really don’t live their violent, hopeless, faith, but call themselves Muslims.
Just because the Christian, or Muslim, say they are “moderate” does not mean they resemble any basic teachings of the faith. If they don’t follow the basic parts of their faith, can they claim to be part of it?
Kevin,
Is Raymond Ibrahim a former radical Muslim convert or is he an Eygptian Christian. Either way his opinion is biased. It is apparent in many of his published works that he clearly has a Christian slant. There is nothing wrong with that but as you have pointed out many times a true Christian should renounce the teachings of Islam and therein lies the bias. If you read the last paragraph of the article you cited its clear that even Mr. Ibrahim, an “expert” on Islam, and one you relied on to prove your point acknowledges the existence of moderates from both religions. Is he wrong? Was Mr. Ibrahim wrong when warned the U.S. Congress not to lump the radicals with the moderates because it could cause some of the moderates to become insulted and possibly slip into radicalism?
To go a step further with this, Mr. Ibrahim’s numbers are way off. He has stated that there are 200 million radical Muslims in the world. He said 20% of the muslim population is radical. This would mean there are 2 trillion Muslims in the world. Every reliable estimate puts the number at 1.5 trillion. Furthermore, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that his figures fall directly in the middle of the Heritage Foundation estimates of 15% to 25% of Muslims are radical. The problem is that both are extremely inflated. All other reliable sources, and you can seek them out, put the percentage of radicals at a much lower number and they are based on population estimates are are more widely accepted.
I have a problem considering any source that is willing to lie about provable statistical information. Mr. Ibrahim dismisses the facts in an effort to push an agenda. He is smart enough to know people will challenge his data, and they have, but is still willing to mislead Congress and the public. I suggest you find a more credible source if you want me to seriously consider your argument.
Kevin,
Would you hire a Muslim woman that wore a head scarf? Just curious.
Correction, the numbers I stated above are off. Mr. Ibrahim’s numbers still don’t add up.
WB Observer:
Depends. Will she shed the head scarf at work? Major safety issue with blizzard machine. All employees are required to have proper hair restraints with no dangling or loose items including any jewelry.
If the potential employee fails to comply simple safety/health code guidelines, then no. There was system safety issue where this was not adhered to when it came to earrings, and the consequence injury was not something to repeat.
Jade,
Have no idea who your quoted intellect who you know refute is. I do enjoy when you debate and debunk yourself.
Kevin,
The woman with the head scarf could do cashier.
Raymond Ibrahim is the person who wrote Islams doctrines of deception, you know… the link you gave above to prove your point was written by him.
Debunking myself was the honest thing to do. Besides, I was typing on my iPad between meetings and was trying to remember some numbers I heard about the true amount of radicals. I will give you the correct ones if you would like. My point was, however and still remains you quote a guy as your source but the guy is full of bologna and has a biased opinion. Not a very convincing or reliable source. This goes back to my original point when we started these debates about Muslims. You have all these opinions about Muslims but they are mostly built upon the rhetoric and propaganda of the anti Muslim groups that exist. You at judging a whole religion based on the actions of a small minority group of radicals. Ignorance fuels prejudice.
Jade,
Cashiers are REQUIRED to make blizzards. There is not one cashier that does not make blizzards on staff.
What you suggest would destroy service times, and foster ill will among other staff. Such a worker would be perceived by other employees as “not pulling their weight”. There is other equipment that is also at issue with having loose fitting head fabric or jewelry. If it were to get caught in any sort of food equipment, the results could be catastrophic. That is why their is health code against that.
I’m not against hiring her, but if they cannot practice health and safety code becaue of their religion….the health department does not make exceptions for that. It’s the same issue if someone has a religious issue against washing their hands, the health department will not tolerate that.
I linked to web page to show that Islam is a religion of deception, not to make the sale on how many Muslims, exactly practice the deception in there religion.
Your original argument was: Islam does not teach deception.
I would agree that Raymond’s estimate of those that actively practice Islam, especially the deception part is debatable. However, that means there is a large group of Muslims out there that really are not Muslims, even though they say they are.
This gets back to question you constantly avoid.
Can you claim to be a part of a religion if you reject the major teachings of the religion.
My answer is: No.
Kevin,
Prove that my argument was “Islam does not teach deception”. The deception is on your behalf and on the behalf of the so called expert you use as your source.
You said:
“Can you claim to be part of a religion if you reject the major teachings of the religion”
Just as your source, Mr. Ibrahim, points out there are moderates among all religions. There are a lot of passages that contain rules in the bible that most Christians, and I do mean most, don’t follow. It’s funny how you use the phrase “major teachings”. This gives you an out. Previously, you asserted that if one didn’t adhere to the teaching of their religion they were Muslim or Christian in name only. Which one is it. Once again, ignorance fuels prejudice.