Women wearing paranja in Tajikistan in 1925.
Photo: Archive photo
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Atlant Did Not Carry Five Muslims
// Xenophobia
Egyptian newspaper Akbar El-Hawadeth reported yesterday on the incident with Russian citizens in Sharm El Sheikh airport. Captain of IL-86 aircraft of Atlant-Soyuz company asked five Muslim passengers, 3 women in hijabs and 2 men, to leave the board before the plane took off. The captain acted so according to the demands of other passengers. Atlant-Soyuz stated the pilot’s actions are absolutely justified. Representatives of Muslim community say they “treat such episodes with understanding.”
The captain of IL-86 aircraft flying to Moscow from Sharm El Sheikh asked five passengers who caused other passengers’ suspicions to leave the aircraft. The five Muslims were retained at the airport for a complete security check. IL-86 was checked by policemen with specially trained dogs, and took off 50 minutes later. The five Muslims flew to Russia a day later, and the women were asked not to wear hijabs during the flight.
Atlant-Soyuz spokesman said it was the initiative of passengers sitting next to the Muslims to take them off the flight, and not of the crew. So, the captain had the right to ask them to leave. He acted according to article 58 of Russia’s Air Code, which allows to make leave suspicious-looking passengers.
Spokeswoman for Russian Muslim community said Muslims treat such situations with understanding, for such cases are the result of stereotyped view of Muslims clad in national clothes as evil makers. She added that it is important to educate people on the subject, and to explain that clothes, behavior, lifestyle should not create basis for discrimination.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of June 16, 2006
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