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"As i go down and read the comments to this article i am amazed by the amount of ignorance there is in America today. I am disgusted by the last comment claiming that Christans and Jews would not fly planes into building, or set off bombs."

The comment you refer to is a question, hence the "?" at the end of the sentence(s). It is not a claim. So how many??? This is not to say that Christians, Jews, Catholics or any other group have not at some point in time acted poorly, or violently, or fanatically. Quite the contrary actually. I dont see this as a "tit for tat" situation myself. You feel free to openly practice your religion. In fact, I will personally clear a spot for you if at some point in time we are ever in the same airport. I will stand guard to make sure no one harrasses you while you are practicing it...however...once you get on a commercial airline with hundreds of other people, some of which may share your beliefs and some of which may not, all bets are off. Stop calling it ignorance just because others dont share your beliefs. Human beings in general commit attrocities, all over the world and all thru time. This is the United States and some things are just not appropriate. Take care of your business before you get on the airplane. You will have plenty of time to do it all over again once you land, unless of course, your place "accidentally" flies into a skyscraper.

I don't buy it. Yes, this is a disturbing event and none of us wish to be at this point. During WWII there was similar concerns about Japaneze Americans. There were bad decisions made during that time that should not have been made. In this recent case, let me first say I do not know what actually happened...and neither do you. However, I have read some information about the chain of events that lead up to the decision and the suspicious activities of the men that caused it. If that information is correct, the airlines made a superb decision. If that additonal information is correct, the men were certainly drawing much attention to themselves and there was a high level of risk and necessary concern. If that information is correct, then the media is dropping the ball and failing the American people. The skeptic in me smells something fishy. Actions and reactions as well as the timing of them from the passengers, attorneys, airline & employees paint a different picture if one has all the information and steps back to look at them objectivly.

As i go down and read the comments to this article i am amazed by the amount of ignorance there is in America today. I am disgusted by the last comment claiming that Christans and Jews would not fly planes into building, or set off bombs. don't get it confused, A lot of Americas preception on the war is swayed anyways. Being that we do support Isreal the media portrays muslims as an enemey when the majority of Muslims are not. But at the same time let us forget all of the other things that the Christian and Jewish worlds have done in the past between rapeing young boys to killing thousands of muslims in Isreal and surrounding area. OPen your eyes, Muslims are being slaughter, we are not fighting an army we are fighting them. Being a Muslim myself it angers me that i have to change my daily rutine, or reconsider times when i can pray just because people want to attach a sterotype upon me because of my beliefs. So in essence watch out American this is one more Muslim that is going to openly practice my religion....without bombs! amazing isn't it!

OK Robin from Atlanta, lets see...how many christians and jews make and distribute video of them hacking off innocent American's heads? How many Christians and Jews flew airliners into the WTC, Pentagon and fields in Pennsylvania? Garage bombing of the WTC? Attack on U.S.S. Cole??? Wake up!! I have no issues with Muslims myself, until one gives me a reason to have an issue. Im not sure if these 6 IMAMS were up to something or not...and frankly I dont care. Next time they decide to board an airliner, perhaps they will make some slight modifications to their routine...such as sitting where their ticket directs them, whether its next to a woman or not, not making anti-United States comments or leaving the airplane when asked to do so by a legitimate member of the flight crew. Based on the events mentioned earlier and the statements made publicly by the Iranian President (who by the way is not a christian or a jew, but rather ..yep, you guessed it..a muslim) I believe we are quite justified in our vigilance and if it hurts a few innocent muslims feelings, sorry bout that. I was not on the airline in question. Am i supposed to believe that everyone except the IMAMs is lying about what really happened on board this jet. We have choices to make. Our choices should always involve doing whatever it takes to make sure 9/11, or events of that nature never happen again, regardless of who it might inconvenience or whose feeling might get hurt.

The passenger who got scared, should have been given another fllght. The six imams should not have been removed at all or troubled. I don't believe that they refused to sit in their seats - however, if there were spare seats and their original seats were next to women, then they should have been accomodated by the airline.

Finally, hardly any Muslims are terrorists. And most terrorists are Christians and Jews - not Muslims. I don't believe the CNN/FOX jewish worldview. I'd rather research and investigate the news behind the news - only to find its fundamentally a media war of lies, deception and control. For instance many terrorist attacks are staged by Christians and jews, and many plots are proven fabricated and more muslims are attacked by Christian and jewish terrorists daily - hidden from the jewish controlled news channels.

All right thinking Americans should voice their concern about this racial profiling that has no place in a civilized society. If it's one community today, it could be yours tomorrow. Racial Profiling is best suited for an apartheid society. It's scary what one ignorant person can do by just pointing out another if he doesn't like them. And this is an eye opener to those who talk about freedoms in a civilized country that this administration has screwed up for all the Americans - on the basis of lies.It's sad to see what ignorance can do, and it's a shame that a civilised country like the USA is so ignorant about Islamic beliefs in general and Muslims in particular when we are dealing with muslim countries and occupying them. This is a classic case of double standards. Shed your myopic glasses and view and learn about another great religion of the Abraham lineage. Remember, terror mongers have no religion - no matter what their outward appearance looks like. They could be from any race, creed or religion and case in point, the IRA, Serbia Genecide, Darfur and the Oklahoma City bombers.
No true muslim supports what happened on Sept. 11th -- in fact, suicide is haram (forbidden) in Islam. Don't believe it, pick up a Holy Koran book and read but please don't profile any muslims based on your ignorance. Peace!

One of the Immams is blind. What are the chances of a blind person attacking someone. It does not make sense to me that he was thrown off the plane. Remember they were all searched at security and had nothing.

So the muslims didn"t make the flight. i have no problem with that.i can see the headline now." MUSLIMS DETONATE BOMB ON JET-ALL FEARED LOST.And then the by-lines--they were"nt screened, they slipped by security,no one noticed , they just "blended in with crowd ,blah blah blah.so they missed the flight. tough !!! walk next time

As a mixed-race American man who lives comfortably in mainstream, republican America, I want to first suggest that the current climate of "fear and loathing" that we are suffering through is a result our our general population's willing ignorance of world history and cultures. This is all too obvious from the way some of my fellow citizens suggest we approach this situation. To suggest that the imams totally conform to "our way of life here in the states" as a way of emiliorating such incidents in the future, or to fixt the first incident, is simply absurd, as what that really means is that some of us will continue to maintain very narrow-minded views of "our way of life" that also happen to be ignorant of "others" ways of life."
I am scared that some of us can still claim that "we are at war and must be vigilant" and actually not believe we are slowly turning into a police state...on many levels; I hear some brave individuals out there, but I am not sure if all the bristling and brandishing of such attitudes does not lead to more state-bound paranoia, and therefore, "allowable" excesses on the part of police and security. The use of harsher and harsher tactics of surveilance have not caught many evil terrorists but have instead humiliated mostly people of color.
Critical infrastructures in this land are falling apart as we continue to waste billions on a "shadow war." While I respect this so-called "vigilance" what are we supposed to do when the police and security agencies are plainly and obviously overreacting in ways that would be comedic except for the fact that there is a very small group which does aim evil our way, but more importantly, when there is such a lack of tolerance as to create unfortunate situations--well, I just can't believe there is much of a threat any more. But there is a lot of fear and alienation and in response. How do we live with these and constant attempts to undermine what should not be undermined, our Constitution and Bill of Rights?
American has a long history, for example, of forcing its will on other countries in far away places. Hence the overseas reaction. I am not sure if "50 percent" of the world hates us, but I am sure that we have had an indelible effect on the world, good and bad. But we are a strong nation, industrially, scientifically, culturally, and should not let a small group of fanatics and monsters destroy us by enciting fear and paranoia within our communities.
We must understand that the imams were doing what any man of faith will do--simply pray to God (I myself choose the Virgin Mary as my Mediatrix, and carry a rosary when I fly.) Since I am dark and black haired (Mexican, Japanese, Jewish) should I worry about flying because there is so much fear out there, in the air?

I'm an airline Captain. I would be suspicious of six Muslims on my aircraft. Muslim terrorist attacked America on 9/11. I will not forget. We must be viligant and suspicious. I applaud the passenger who had the courage to take action.

I read one post that really upset me here. This guy from Arizona, says he believes that anyone should have the right to exercise their religion without punishment. I wonder if he thinks the same for high school kids? Do they have the right to? And then some other post when someone says America is racist. That is a very general and illogical statement. Muslims who are terrorists would pray 5 times a day as well. But you know, Ive flown several times since 9/11 and once have I ever seen Muslims who are about to board the same flight as me pray. They get it. Why don't these 6 get it. And why did they not sit in their assigned seats? I would be suspicious too. And Airport Security did its job. That is what the new Security at airports is supposed to be in this war on terror. You are right when you say all Muslims aren't terrorists. But most terrorists are Muslims. And that being the case, I'll watch Muslims more close and have a higher awareness. As far as this being a racially motivated complaint. Whoever you are you said it, you are wrong. Plain Wrong!

"I don't think that is even slightly true. Pretty much the reverse. Straw making something out of nothing over veils, 250 police raiding some perfectly innocent peoples house in London."

Sorry, Peter - when I said "government" I was of course speaking in terms of Chairman Bliar - who, after all, has and still does govern largely outwith of the Cabinet. By the way, if you don't think this is an accurate assessment you should come and see how my local (Labour) council carries on...

"Last Sunday Ted Koppel reported that the large majority of young Iranians have wide knowledge of Western culture and politics. At the same time, U.S. citizens are widely - and increasingly - ignorant of culture outside our borders. In the 21st century, such ignorance and lack of understanding is our greatest enemy."

Judy - if you've seen some of the TV programmes and news coverage shown in Iran (and Jordan. And Syria) then you'd realise that their extensive knowledge of the west is based on soap operas that give the impression ,for example, that we take the eyes of muslim children to restore the sight of Christians, that Jew sacrifice Christian children in order to make matzo balls from their blood, that George Bush practices satanic worship rituals in the Lincoln Bedroom, and much, much more. Basically, they are fed the most outrageous and sick propaganda, through state media and ranting radical clerics in their mosques. There was a disturbing reportage by Glen Beck on extremism. If you search YouTube for "Glen Beck presents Exposed" you can see it - the first five minutes alone give a good picture of the above. But a basic Google on the subject will take you to all sorts of other places you'd probably rather not go - but, then again, knowledge is power, so...

There are two major ideas in conflict here - security and the American ideal of tolerance. Reading all the different articles about this event, I find myself very conflicted. But what I come back to is, better safe than sorry. It may be a cliche, but it's also so true. What if the men had been terrorists? They were saying some pretty inappropriate things, especially considering their locale. I mean, it's good to have your opinions about America, our government, religion - but it's stupid to express those in areas that they could cause fear and incite concern. After 9/11 an airport is certainly an area that you would want to hush those beliefs. Surely they had something to talk about other than controversial politics. I don't think that it was only their prayers that scared the passanger, I think that it was the comments. No matter what the ethnicity of a person, I know that I would be concerned if I heard those things and I would say something. Due to the ethnicity of the terrorists involved with 9/11, and with the majority of recent terror attacks, the prayers only put a spotlight on the men and their views.
As for Hani's comment about how he would get off the plane if he felt unsafe, I have a question. How could you live with yourself if you got off that plane, didn't say anything, and something happened. Hinesight is always 20/20 and at the end of the day I, and I would hope most Americans, would first vaule their security.

Well...here is my question, being a Muslim myself I understand that some other passengers may have been illegitimately scared or concerned. Unfortunately, life in this country does not revolve around our five daily prayers and even I find myself praying in random places in the city like in the library or somewhere else. If it were me, I would have prayed in the airport as well however I may have tried to find a location that is more hidden so as not to cause any concerns among other people who are not familiar with what I am doing. It is unfair to request that these men perhaps skip the required prayer so as not to cause concern among uneducated people in an airport terminal. Also, it is important to note that these men did not pray on the plane itself but they peformed the prayer in the terminal before boarding the plane. Many of these posts discuss the issue as if the men attempted to pray on board the plane. Finally, my question is, the reports indicate that a passenger was concerned and passed a note to the flight attendant. How come the 6 men were then removed from the plane? If that particular passenger felt concerned or scared, then she should have nominated herself or herself been removed from the plane, not the six men. If I felt uncomfortable on a plane, I would leave...I would not ask someone else to leave to make me more comfortable. Lastly, the airline refused to book them on a later flight. They were forced to take another airline. In my opinion, there was alot of descrimination involved in this case due to a lack of education. If I saw a nun pull out a rosary and whisper prayers to herself, I as well as most other passengers would not be alarmed, why? because we are familiar with the Bible and Christianity. The prayers conducted in the airport are nothing more than the actions of any christians. Of course, you only know that if you take the time to learn.

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there is a policy amongst the government to bend over backwards to accommodate their every demand and whim at the expense of other minorities

I don't think that is even slightly true. Pretty much the reverse. Straw making something out of nothing over veils, 250 police raiding some perfectly innocent peoples house in London.
I think governments all over find it convenient to keep the populace scared of something, doesn't really matter what. Keeps them in power and stops awkward questions.

i would've been terrified to fly right after 911, but would have, but now with over half the world hating america i think they were justified in being scared or ignorant. does'nt matter either way because the ones getting kicked off the plane weren't white. white people can't cry discrimination.

John, London, England:

No problem - I disassociate myself from George Bush every opportunity I get. I recognize exactly how you feel about Tony Blair!

The ignorance of so many postings on this subject saddens and frightens me. Anybody with a rudimentary knowledge of Islam knows that the practice is to pray daily at five specified times while facing Mecca. It's not as simple as choosing another time or place to pray.

Last Sunday Ted Koppel reported that the large majority of young Iranians have wide knowledge of Western culture and politics. At the same time, U.S. citizens are widely - and increasingly - ignorant of culture outside our borders. In the 21st century, such ignorance and lack of understanding is our greatest enemy.

I think that the person who complained by a note to the aircrew was prejudicied against these people. I have no problem with them saying their daily prayers in the airport. I was raised that everybody has a right to believe in and practice any religion that they want without being punished.

It seems like the passenger in this case just didn't like it that they were practicing their religion in an open way. Maybe the passenger was taught that religion was to be practiced only in a church or religious bulding. The world is a religious building or arena, and we and all people of the world can practice their religion any where they want.

The fact that US Airways removed them from the flight just shows that they are afraid of not being politically correct, so to play safe, they went with the suspicion of ONE passenger. It sure doesn't say much for the way this country is heading, does it!

It occurs to me that 9/11 largely happened because of a casual "catching a bus" attitude to internal flight security at US airports. I'd certainly noticed that it wasn't on a par with international flights. However, rather than suggest that 9/11 happened due to complacency and slackness I'd tender that it was rather a case of America being a victim of trying to be too much of an open and free society. That said, I think the PATRIOT Act was a clamp down on those freedoms too far. Then again, hindsight is a marvellous thing and tougher security is a small price to pay. I travel frequently with work and I never have any problems - I allow plenty of time to check in and go through security. I don't overtly draw attention to myself, wait patiently in line and have my shoes and coat off and ready to go through the x-ray when I get to it - I don't wait to be prompted. And I check I don't have anything in my cabin baggage I shouldn't. As such I breeze through and into the lounge without fuss. Of course, there is always some idiot arguing the toss and holding everyone up but I guess that's life! So, these imams, supposedly being learned men, should appreciate that people have learned with that hindsight and will be suspicious; some of their fellow believers, using their beliefs as justification, perpetrated a terrible and tragic crime, an act of war - probably in the same order as the Holocaust - and if they're going to act in a way that draws attention to themselves in that way then they, and we, have got to accept that there will be some disruption. As I commented earlier, better safe than sorry. Also, I commented earlier that we don't know that these men were refused re-admission after a second security check; it might be that they declined to board the 'plane. It would be interesting to know the rest of the story in that regard.

However, these are the times we live in and only vigilance will keep us safe. If that means your actions, deliberate or otherwise, mean you get inconvenienced then so be it.

We can no longer afford to risk one at the expense of many.

I think this page is good because it lets people express themselves but I have never been more at peace and happy that I don't believe in god or any kind of religion.

"Obviously this is a very heated subject; however, let's not forget that England was the first to step up after 9/11."

Cheers, Babs - but please don't confuse England (more properly the United Kingdom in this context) with Bliar (who is, in any case, Scottish). Yes, we stood up and felt for you and resolved to stand by you, as you would stand by us. But that's us - the people. Tony does things for headlines and political advantage and points scoring. His regime is one of gimmicks, flashy ideas that don't bear fruit (but cost a fortune), headlines, lies, spin and obfuscation. I get your underlying point but am keen to disassociate myself from the Bliar mantle - I saw a car with anti-war bumper stickers in Chicago a couple of years ago which said, "Not in MY name" and "Not MY president" (commentary on the 2000 result, perhaps?). Well - with a lot of us (at least, the people I know), it's the same thing. Just swap prime minister for president...

Sadly, it has come to the stage here that people fear their government. In the progressive course of proper democracy it is, of course, the government that should fear its people...

"I perceive that the motivation for many of the posts is fear."

Or, Larry, it's just a lot of frustrated people taking a moment to get their ire off their chests and shun political correctness and pandering to express what they really think and perceive. Certainly on this side of the pond there is a perception that muslims here get it all their own way (look up the Danish cartoon protests and the community leaders letter demanding a change to foreign policy on pain of further attacks - to name a few that would be vociferously punished if perpetrated by white Anglo-Saxons) and there is a policy amongst the government to bend over backwards to accommodate their every demand and whim at the expense of other minorities, not to mention the indigenous majority.

In the months ahead, look for an out of court settlement between USAIR and these 6 Imams. This is a clear civil rights violation. I have prayed in the airplane before and no one kicked me out of my flight, so there was no reason for USAIR to kick these guys out as they were passed thru security and even the FBI and local police knew of their whereabouts. Its time Americans accept members of the 2nd largest religion in the US and the World.

Discussion doesn't end with x comments!
Discussion doesn't end when we get tired !
Discussion doesn't end when we get fed up !

The curious thing about discussion of a topic is that it doesn't end until a majority of the people necessary to make a decision have been convinced one way or another, and make the decision... So, until that time, where this one ends, another will begin, and so on until the matter is resolved.

A decision to disagree is not a decision at all, it only marks a pause in the process!