To Pray or
Not to Pray
By Hussam Ayloush
Anaheim, CA
On Monday evening, six Muslim
Imams (religious leaders) were taken off a US
Airways airplane in Minneapolis and detained for
several hours after some passengers and crew members
complained of behavior they deemed "suspicious",
mainly prayers at the gate.
The incident brought to attention what many of
us now describe as "FWM: Flying While Muslim".
Muslims who fit a certain stereotype are routinely
subjected to "random" checks at the
airports. Most Muslims rarely complain about those
increased scrutiny unless such measures involve
a humiliating and disrespectful treatment or cause
a major delay or denial in boarding a flight.
Muslims are trying to be sensitive to the fear
and anxiety that is inflicting the whole public.
However, the public also has a responsibility
to be rational, respectful and fair to Muslims,
as we should be to all people and their cultures.
We have to know what constitutes "suspicious"
activities, rather than blindly giving in to fear
and subjecting innocent people to a witch-hunt
or a public humiliation. Offering a routine prayer,
having a beard, looking like an "Arab"
or speaking in a foreign language does not fall
under "suspicious" behavior.
A very "kind" man, sent an email that
underlines the ignorance (and possibly bigotry
in this case) that exists among some people in
our country. I posted my response in the hope
that it will answer some legitimate questions
that other genuinely concerned Americans might
have about Muslims and their practices.
From: "Spencer Benedict"
S.B. :Shame on you and your six imams for your
actions (and reactions) regarding the "praying"
on board the airliner this week.
H.A.: I am not sure what those Imams did to be
ashamed of! For the record, they did not pray
on board the airplane. They prayed in the terminal.
S.B.: It is shameful how you attempt to use religion
and god to create an issue - one in which you
are clearly in the wrong. God doesn't need your
charade. God doesn't need your antics. God doesn't
need your egotistical display of piety.
H.A.: A prayer in Islam is not a display, it is
an obligation on every Muslim,5 times a day, at
specific times. Muslims pray wherever they are,
when it is time to pray. And yes, you are right,
God does not need our prayers, but we certainly
need to pray to Him for guidance and mercy.
S.B.: Most passengers pray on an airliner prior
to departure. They do it privately. They do it
silently. And, they do it quietly without calling
attention to themselves and their actions. Most
prayerful people realize that it isn't necessary
that others know they are praying - they simply
and humbly commune with god.
H.A.: The Muslim prayer is different from the
Christian prayer. The Muslim prayer involves a
set of bowing and prostration combined with meditation
and Qur’anic recitation.
To attain focus and sincere connection with God,
it is recommended for a prayer to be done away
from crowds. When traveling, most Muslims will
try to offer their prayers in privacy at the airport
chapels. But when an airport does not have a chapel
or when flight time does not permit, Muslims will
take a private corner at the terminal to offer
their 5-10 minutes prayer.
I have done so hundreds of times in America and
I have never encountered a single negative incident.
At most, I have had friendly curious travelers
inquiring me about it. However, I can see how
some people who are not familiar with the Islamic
teachings can wonder why Muslims are being public
about a prayer. This just reminds me how much
work is still needed to familiarize America with
Islamic religious practices. People fear the unfamiliar.
S.B.: S.B. It is despicable what you are attempting
to do with this issue and it is obvious to every
American that it is contrived and provocative.
How shameful that you feel it necessary to use
God in such a way. Frankly, most Americans are
getting fed up with Islamic fundamentalists shoving
their religious "beliefs" in their faces
and demanding some kind of recognition.
H.A: It is despicable that one can hold such hatred
in them. Man, it must be a horrible feeling to
be carrying so much hatred. Frankly, almost all
Americans that I deal with are accepting and respectful
of all religions. I am not sure where you hang
around.
S.B.: When you travel with Americans, sit down
and shut up - no one is the least bit interested
in your dogma, your ceremonies or your sanctimonious
proclamations.
H.A.: I hate to shock you. Step out of your bubble
for a while and you will find that many Americans
are Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh ... The next time
you travel with Americans, try to learn about
them and their diverse cultures. America has been
religiously diverse from day one. Where have you
been?
S.B.: There! That's what an American thinks!
H.A.: No. More correctly, it should be: That's
what a bigot thinks!
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