Should The Government Profile Muslims At Airports?
There have been several recent Al Qaeda plots involving American commercial airplanes: the 9/11 attacks; the attempted 2001 shoe bombing; the 2006 plot to bomb planes flying from London to the U.S.; and the December 2009 attempt to blow up a plane over Detroit.
Following each of these attacks and plots, there have been public calls to focus airport security on Muslims flying to the U.S., and on Muslims flying within the U.S. During times of public fear, some American Muslim travelers have been subjected to heightened scrutiny. For example, following the disruption of Al Qaeda’s August 2006 plot to bomb planes flying from London to the U.S., some American Muslims of Iraqi descent flying into the U.S. from overseas reported that federal agents in New York took their American passports; held them for several hours without food, water, or chairs; asked them if they ever had weapons training and what they thought about the Iraq war; and yelled at them and threatened to arrest them when they complained about the way they were being treated.
Arguments By Those Who Believe The Government Should Not Focus Airport Security On Muslims
1. Airport screeners should thoroughly interview and search all passengers, not just those who “look Muslim.” That will maximize safety.
2. There are a billion Muslims around the world, and millions of Muslims in the U.S. Only a very small percentage of these Muslims have attacked, or plotted to attack, airplanes. It would be a huge waste of the government’s time and money to interview and search all Muslim passengers, since most of them are innocent.
3. Collecting intelligence before passengers get to the airport is a more effective way to stop people who pose a threat. For example, the 2006 plot to bomb planes flying from London to the U.S. was stopped before any of the plotters got to the airport.
4. Airport screeners cannot effectively focus on Muslims, because they don’t always know who’s Muslim and who’s not. There are people of other faiths who “look Muslim,” like the Brazilian man who was shot and killed by British police on the London subway soon after the 2005 London subway bombings. The government will end up interviewing and searching millions of people who “look Muslim” but aren’t Muslim. Furthermore, there are Muslims of all different ethnicities; they don’t all “look Muslim” or have “Muslim names.” If the government focuses on people who “look Muslim,” Al Qaeda will use bombers of various races (like shoe-bomber Richard Reid) who don’t “look Muslim,” and they will get through the system because security will be focused on people who “look Muslim.”
5. Random interviews and searches are more effective than profiling, because they can catch a bomber whether he “looks Muslim” or not. Random searches can also turn up “innocent bombers,” passengers who have unknowingly been given bombs by friends or relatives. Because of limited resources, the government has to choose between focusing on Muslims or doing random searches. For every screener who is focusing on Muslims passengers, that’s one less screener doing random searches.
6. Ethnicity and religion are distractions from the most important warning signs. Screeners should focus on passengers who have recently traveled to certain countries; who appear to be anxious or sweating; or who are wearing bulky clothing or walking in an awkward manner (because they might be concealing weapons or explosives). Because of limited resources, the government has to choose between focusing on Muslims or looking out for suspicious behavior. For every screener who is focusing on Muslims passengers, that’s one less screener watching out for suspicious behavior.
7. Rather than devoting resources to screening people who “look Muslim,” the government should spend its money on better screening technology to be used on all passengers, so that all liquid or solid or powder explosives can be easily detected. In addition, the government should increase the use of bomb-sniffing dogs. If the government prevents weapons from getting on a plane, potential hijackers can’t do any harm even if they get on planes.
8. Focusing security on Muslims will alienate Muslims from law enforcement, make them distrustful of law enforcement, and make them less likely to report suspicious activity that may come to their attention in the future. If the profiling is particularly abusive, and if it sends the message that American Muslims are “not real Americans,” it could help Al Qaeda recruit supporters.
Arguments By Those Who Believe The Government Should Focus Airport Security On Muslims
1. The government does not have the resources to interview and search all passengers. Furthermore, there’s no reason to interview and search all passengers. Everyone who has tried to hijack or destroy American commercial airplanes from 9/11 to the present has been Muslim. For example, the 9/11 hijackers were Muslim. Richard Reid, the shoe-bomber, is Muslim; his co-conspirator, Saajid Badat, who pled guilty after backing out of the plot, is Muslim. Abdulla Ahmed Ali, Tanvir Hussain, and Assad Sarwar, who were convicted of plotting to blow up planes flying from London to the U.S. in 2006, are Muslim. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried to blow up a plane over Detroit in 2009 using explosives hidden in his underwear, is Muslim. Furthermore, even innocent Muslim passengers could be unknowingly carrying bombs given to them by Muslim relatives or friends. So the focus must be on Muslim passengers.
2. Most interviews and searches of Muslim travelers will not turn up any explosives or weapons, and those Muslim travelers will be free to go. But the only way to make sure that no Muslims get onto planes with explosives is to interview and search all Muslim travelers. After all, the government doesn’t know which Muslims have bombs, and which Muslims don’t have bombs.
3. Collecting intelligence before passengers get to the airport is one way to stop people who pose a threat. But the government does not have sufficient intelligence on everyone who poses a threat. For example, the government did not have sufficient intelligence on the 9/11 hijackers, Richard Reid, or Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab before they boarded their flights. If these Muslims had been thoroughly interviewed and searched, they would never have been allowed to get on the airplanes.
4. Screeners may not be able to identify everyone who is Muslim, but they will be able to identify many people who are Muslim. Some Muslims who don’t “look Muslim” may avoid an interview and a thorough search, but the vast majority of Muslims will get interviewed and thoroughly searched. That will increase the chances of Muslim bombers being caught.
5. Random searches can be useful. But random searches would divert limited screening resources towards passengers who clearly pose no threat. The government will end up searching little old ladies. If only random searches are done, there is a greater chance that Muslim bombers will fall through the cracks, because not all Muslims will be interviewed and searched. But if random searches are used in addition to profiling, as a secondary layer of security, they can enhance security.
6. Screeners should certainly watch out for suspicious activity, in addition to profiling Muslims. But if the government only relies on watching out for suspicious activity, a sophisticated plotter could get through. Screeners will not detect plotters who are trained to remain calm, and who are not hiding bulky bombs. For example, the 9/11 hijackers used small knives. Richard Reid’s bomb was part of his shoe. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s bomb was part of his underwear. There is no evidence that any of these Muslims appeared to be anxious or sweating at the airport, or that they were walking in an awkward manner before they got on their flights. But all these Muslims could have been caught if they had been interviewed and carefully searched.
7. The government should use the best screening technology, but the government cannot rely completely on technology, because even the best technology is not foolproof. For example, Richard Reid and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab were able to get explosives onto planes even though they went through metal detectors. Furthermore, the government may not be allowed to use the best screening technology, because privacy advocates oppose the use of body scanners at airports. So interviewing and searching Muslims remains important.
8. Profiling can be done in a way that does not alienate Muslims. Screeners should approach Muslim passengers in a friendly and respectful way, not a hostile way. There should be no attempt to humiliate. Muslims who cooperate should be treated like allies, not suspects. They should be publicly acknowledged and thanked by the captain once they board their plane. Furthermore, the government can give benefits, for example tax benefits or reduced airfares or upgrades to first class, to those who are subjected to intensive interviews and searches; this will help compensate for the additional burden innocent Muslims are asked to bear.
Wa Salaam said
on August 21 2006 @ 12:18 pm
Fundamentalist Muslims Don’t Fit Profile
With all the recent talk about racial profiling and profiling Muslims, why haven’t the advocates of this policy taken notice to the fact that the accused terrorists do not fit the description of a fundamentalist Muslim. In fact you would not be a…
Jennifer said
on September 21 2006 @ 9:29 pm
I beleive that airport security is currently profiling, however they are profiling the wrong people. The muslims that wear the turbins and long veils are the true muslims the law abiding allah worshiping muslims the people that should be targeted are the ones without the custom clothing and markings these are the ones that come into other countries with the intent to kill. The Radical islamist dress and act like a non muslim in hopes of blending in and therefore having a better chance of completing their objective these are the ones that need to be stopped.
Latifa said
on October 10 2006 @ 10:00 pm
I dont believe that the airport security should profile the Muslims. Muslims aren’t the ones who are causing terrorist attacks. It can be anyone and becuase it can be anyone everyone should be checked the same way at airports. Checking the Muslims more than any other person makes the Muslims feel like minorities. They shouldn’t have to feel this way. The ones with the bombs on the plane have not been proven to be Muslims, so why critsize the Muslims in America? In our first amenmedment of the constitution it gives us the right to establish religion, prohibit the free exercise thereof, freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble to petition the government for redress of grievances. This means that no one should be treated differantly, we all are humans and we all should be treated equally. This security policy needs to be changed and the government should reconsider there actions against Muslims in the airports!
Job said
on October 31 2006 @ 11:43 pm
As long as arabs are soley responsible for cowardly terrorist acts, then they should be profiled at every corner.
Marc said
on January 4 2007 @ 9:04 pm
Muslims are incompatible with most of western civilization, and certainly the United States….with our crazy ideas of personal liberty, women’s rights, etc.
Muslims should not only be profiled, every single one of you should be forced to swear an oath of allegiance to the U.S. as a first step in EARNING our trust and respect.
Now personally, I would like to see all mosques in the U.S. closed as threats to national security, the land seized through recently passed emminent domain laws, and sold for parkland.
Muslims have been a problem for centuries, with their bizarre notion of ‘conversion by the sword’, and will continue to be a problem here in America until Americans pull their heads out of their collective rectums and address this very real threat.
Herb said
on January 21 2007 @ 2:53 am
When the majority Muslim community starts to be vocal about the attrocities their brethern are perpetauting and start policing their own, then maybe we can stop “profiling”.
Jay Are said
on January 25 2007 @ 10:58 pm
This is a reponse to Jennifer who said:
“I beleive that airport security is currently profiling, however they are profiling the wrong people. The muslims that wear the turbins and long veils are the true muslims the law abiding allah worshiping muslims the people that should be targeted are the ones without the custom clothing and markings these are the ones that come into other countries with the intent to kill. The Radical islamist dress and act like a non muslim in hopes of blending in and therefore having a better chance of completing their objective these are the ones that need to be stopped.”
The problem Jennifer is what if the Radical Islamists decide to dress and act like muslims who wear turbins and viels. How do we determine the difference then.
Like it or not the best way is to check them all just to be safe. I know it’s not politically correct, but it will probably save many lives in the long run.
Larry said
on February 10 2007 @ 10:05 pm
They should be banned!
Swearing an oath means nothing in a world of al-Takeyya, kitman and hudna. Their allegiance is to the Ummah. It may be said, “Allah is their objective, the Prophet is their leader, the Quran is their law, Jihad is their way, and dying in the way of Allah is their highest hope!”
carolynn kennedy said
on February 12 2007 @ 4:29 am
One hundred percent of the successful terrorist attacks on commercial airlines for 20 years have been committed by Arabs. When there is a 100 percent chance of being hijacked by an Arab Muslim Extremist, it ceases to be a profile. It’s called a ‘description of the suspect….”
dfsdfsdf said
on September 28 2007 @ 4:31 am
Muslims should removed from america immediatley. The civilians of american and their children depend on it!
jamila colon said
on November 3 2007 @ 7:16 pm
the comment all muslims should be removed from america is crazy this country was built on different cultures and religons,and if no one realizes it muslims were here with the american indians when the signed peace treaties and some of the indian names around the usa are both indian and muslims.don’t take my word for it look it up!!!!!
Sohaib said
on November 14 2007 @ 9:11 pm
It is sad to know how much hate “Americans” who I am assuming are dominant bogglers on this posted page, are so much in favor for security measurement against Muslim. In other words civilized “Christians” are simply full of hate and grudge against “Innocent Muslims” who have nothing to with tourisms are as barbaric and fanatic as “Al Qaeda” using religion as a justification to bring peace in World. I agree with one of the bogglers comments stated, “Muslims should remove from America immediately. The civilians of American and their children depend on it!”
Let’s just go ahead and solve this Muslim problem…I guess the whole world will be a better place when you categorize each country on the bases of a particular “Religious authenticity”…..
Who are you going to pick on after you get rid of Muslims? Chinese, blacks…. may be we should look at your own history and ask our self are you in any way as Radical, Racist, Religous as so called Al Qaeda or the way you profile “Muslims”.
May be building up Huge walls around your land, so that you get crack down “Other Races”, and “Religious Communities” that you don’t like. Does the work sick “KKK” trigger in you head at all before you make any smart comments?
I think the solution to the safety of every nation is to solve hate by being bold and trying to solve “terrorism” is by handling with them in a respectful and innovative ways to counter terrorism by building up respect and showing mercy for every one to fight all terrorist or extremist groups who show any kind of hate against other community regardless they are Muslims not. Believe me Muslims in the West want to peace more than any Western living in the West. They don’t want to go back to their home land where every thing is secured up.
diane said
on January 11 2009 @ 10:21 pm
should american citizens overseas be profiled and rounded up for the criminal exploitations of u.s. based corporations such as exxon and monsanto or for the war crimes and state terror u.s. administrations inflict upon other countries?
SEAN said
on April 20 2009 @ 9:28 am
WHAT A BUNCH OF HATE MONGERS–SHAME ON MOST OF YOU ABOVE–WOULD YOU KNOW A TERRORIST IF ONE WAS IN YOUR FACE–THE US IS LOOKED AT AS A TERRORIST COUNTRY BY THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE TREATED THAT WAY IF YOU WERE TRAVELING TO ..SAY BRAZIL?–THEY HATE US DOWN THERE, WE MUSCLE OUR WAY INTO EVERY COUNTRY THAT DOESNT FOLLOW OUR IDEOLOGY, THERE ARE TIMES IM ASHAMED TO LIVE HERE–DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT U.S. MEDIA SERVES UP, THERE IS A HIGHER AGENDA, AND IN THAT PLAN IGNORANT DRONES WILL NO LONGER BE NEEDED—WAKE UP!!!!!!
CF23 said
on July 14 2009 @ 11:00 pm
I would just like to say to all muslims, who deserve as much respect as human beings as the next man or woman, if a Brit, American or any nation closely associated bombed your country, leaving many with painful scars and memories, and unfortunately, many innocent people dead, it would be in your natural instinct as a human being to be wary of these people.
The 9/11 attacks, and the 7/7 bombings in London were absolutely horrific, in particular the 9/11 attacks, which were extremely poignant and saw a super power of the world go into mourning. TV broadcasts and internet videos are posted of muslim extremists making threatening and all too true remarks of how we are the ‘infidels’, and how we should all be killed. Is this right? Do you understand why the western world may be a little wary of you? And if you do not understand, then please give me some justification of these terrible incidents? And one more thing, flip the coin, would you react the same way?
MJSmith said
on January 1 2010 @ 5:37 am
all of the terrorist bombers have been young male muslims. It is silly and complete waste if time to screen 89 year old white females at airport checkpoints. In the name of political correctnessm they search 76 year old white males in wheelchairs, children, and Congressional Medal of Honor winning former Democratic Governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987 and a U.S. Senator from Nebraska (1989–2001) Bob Kerrey!(?) What a waste of manpower and equipment. If a woman is raped we don’t focus our manpower on interviewing females.
Profileing or common sense, what’s in a name
Jim from canada said
on January 28 2010 @ 10:55 pm
if muslims are mad about the way they are being treated they should be mad at there own people because it was not a christian amarican who hates democracy and if they are feeling like the are being stareotyped they are because the threaten our freedom and way of life not all of them do but how do we know witch ones are because they dont wave a flag the hid within there own people so like I said your own people screwed you so if you feel like protecting the we as canadians and amarican need to protect ourselfs by making your people go through extra screening it would be as if a group of white men started blowing up things in your country(we would have to find something you have not blown up yet) you would let us into your country with no extra screening i think not so thank your people for what they have done not us we are protecting what we belive in
Aldous said
on February 1 2010 @ 8:56 am
All terrorists being muslims, it makes perfect sense to profile them. If muslims really are in favor of a safer America (or world, for that matter, something so ridiculously unimaginable) then go blow yourself up in your own mosque or local taliban chapter.
Phil said
on April 10 2010 @ 2:13 pm
jamila colon, The good ole USA was not founded on all relgions, it was founded by the Christains. Having said that, our Country is great because we allow all to come to have a better life. When laws change and rules are made to take away from the Christain priciples that are Country was made of, then we have a problem. The muslims and Mexicans are the only 2 countries trying to force us to do it. BUT, only one believes that Christains should not occupy the air. Can you guess who they are???