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BREAKING: CAIR-CT Defends Muslim Denied Entry to Skating Rink Because of
Hijab
Monji Dhaouadi, executive director of the Connecticut chapter of CAIR, said
Tuesday that the organization is attempting to mediate. CAIR has also filed a
complaint with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities,
Dhaouadi said. CONTACT: CAIR-CT Executive Director Mongi Dhaouadi,
860-514-8038, E-Mail: [email protected]
CAIR Updates Travel Advisory for Holiday Weekend
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/24/2010) -- CAIR today issued an updated travel
advisory for those concerned about new airport security measures involving
full-body scanners and more invasive pat-downs.
Background:
Earlier this year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began
phasing in full-body Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanners in airports as
a primary screening method. In February, CAIR supported a statement by a
prominent group of Muslim scholars that the full-body scanners violate
religious and privacy rights.
In late October, the TSA revised its standard pat-down procedure,
particularly for those opting out of the AIT scanner, to allow a much more
intrusive manual search of passengers' bodies by TSA officers.
Passengers who have undergone the new standard pat-down procedure have
reported feeling humiliated by a search they describe as invasive and that has
involved TSA officers touching the face and hair, the groin area and buttocks,
and in between and underneath breasts.
On November 11, CAIR issued a travel advisory that was distorted by
Islamophobes who falsely claimed the advisory said there was a special TSA
exemption for Muslim passengers who wear Islamic head scarves (hijab). In fact,
the CAIR advisory was based on TSA guidelines for all passengers, regardless of
faith.
SEE: New Airport Pat-Downs Called Invasive, Humiliating
CAIR: Is TSA Exempting Women In Hijabs From Controversial Pat-Downs?
CAIR: Travelers Prep for TSA Frisks (NPR)
Video: CAIR Rep Debates Airport Screening on Fox
In light of the growing concerns about the invasiveness of the new
standard pat-down procedure and increased air travel during the Thanksgiving
holiday, CAIR offers the following updated recommendations to travelers:
The Primary Screening Process
You will be asked to go through a metal detector or AIT machine in the
primary screening process. TSA officers have threatened to arrest and/or fine
passengers who opt out of the entire screening process after it begins.
SEE: $11,000 Fine, Arrest Possible for Some Who Refuse Airport Scans and
Pat Downs
You may opt out of the AIT screening, but you will be given the new
standard pat-down, described above, instead. You have the right to request that
the standard pat-down be conducted in private and you may have someone
accompany you. It is your right to be screened by an officer of the same
gender.
The Secondary Screening Process
After the primary screening process, you might be selected for additional
secondary screening for alarm resolution, anomaly resolution, at random, or
because of bulky clothing.
If you are selected for secondary screening because of an alarm or an
anomaly in an AIT, you may receive an even more thorough resolution pat-down
than the new standard pat-down. This resolution pat-down should only be done by
a trained supervisor or lead officer of the same gender in a private screening
area.
If you are selected for secondary screening because of a bulky
clothing item, you will receive the new standard pat-down by an officer of the
same gender. You may remind the officer to only pat-down the area in question.
If you wear the Islamic head scarf and you are selected for secondary
screening, ask the TSA officer if the reason you are being selected for
secondary is because of your head scarf. If the officer confirms you were
referred to secondary because of your head scarf, before you are patted down,
you should remind the TSA officer, who should be of the same gender, that they
are only supposed to pat down the area in question, in this scenario, your head
and neck. They should not subject you to a full-body or partial-body pat-down.
You can always request to pat down your own scarf, including head and neck
area, and have the officer perform a residue swab of your hands.
You may ask to be taken to a private room for the pat-down procedure
and you may have someone accompany you.
Civil Rights Violations
If you encounter any issues, in either the primary or secondary screening
process, ask to speak to a supervisor immediately. They are there to assist
you. The TSA states in its Head-to-Toe Screening Policies: "It is TSA's policy
that passengers should be screened by an officer of the same gender in a
professional, respectful manner."
Travelers who believe they have been treated differently may contact
TSA's Office of Civil Rights and Liberties by e-mail:
[email protected] or by telephone: (1-877-336-4872) or (800)
877-8339 (TTY) of Civil Rights and Liberties to file a concern.
SEE: Civil Rights for Travelers
If you experience any disturbing incidents, particularly if you feel you
have been subjected to religious or racial profiling, harassment or unfair
treatment, immediately file a complaint with the TSA and report the incident to
your local CAIR chapter.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy
organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage
dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build
coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications
Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
Follow CAIR on Twitter
Please help support CAIR's important work.
.Email Marketing by
CAIR | 453 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington | DC | 20003
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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