by Faiz Khan » Tue Nov 13, 2001 12:30 am
Hello.... Guys
I have had a bad experience with the flight journey this time. To start with started from San Francisco, (California) to the final destination India / Hyderabad. after leaving the first Security check point at SFO, I was stopped by couple of Security personal at two more places and I was asked different questions i.e. do you know flying planes, where do you live in California. why are you going to India etc, my baggage was thoroughly checked again. Well this wasn’t enough. After I got down at Hong-Kong airport for a halt of couple of hours, I thought its cool over here; I went around on the air port and bought some chocolates and one PALM, then its time to board the aircraft again going to QUALALAMPUR. I started again going through the security check and this time at Hong-Kong clearing security check point, these security personals at the security asked me to show my passport and after reading my name, they were surprise and start giving me dirty looks. Not Only this. They took me in a corner place at the airport and did a
Complete security check and asked me, where I would be staying in India and
Other questions similar to the san Francisco airport authorities asked me? Like can you fly planes, did I have pilot training? Where do I work in America, what company bla bla.. I was nervous and terrified by the discrimination and humiliation I have received in front of other Indians, while they are allowed to go with out any question because they are not Muslim; they are not from Islamic faith. Anyways, after their complete freaking satisfaction, they allowed me board the aircraft, Guess what? after reaching my own COUNTRY/ My Great Hyderabad, where I have born and bought up. This is the place I belong to. I live all my life in this city. I was all smoking down when I reached the desk of immigration officer SOB asked my passport and after reading my name, he said, OHHHHHHHHH You came this year and you are coming again? I replied Yes indeed, and asked him what seems to be the problem, is there any restriction on the citizen of this country from entering. Then he looked at me and turned around and called some \"Subba Rao\" saab who was a _ dangerous looking with a “BOTTU\" on his fore-head this mother _ took me aside and started his series of questions, 1)where did I get my visa stamped and 2)what company I work for? 3) why I am coming back from America second time in a year. After replying to his list of questions, He got up of his chair and started sniffing my baggage, asked me what all I’m carrying in my bags and what company i work for and whats my us address. Then he started to melt down and gently asked me to leave my hyderabad address with him and asked, what will be the good time to call me, if they may have any questions further? Even though I am _ annoyed by their disgusting behavior, my family is standing outside waiting to receive me and these _ are harassing me asking me all these questions, I displayed my kindness and gave him my address and told him you can call me anytime you want “sir” I would be available to reply you. Alright finally I waked out of the door and my family members were standing and waving at me I rushed to them and hugged my dad and mom and my sister and brother thing, they were terrified after knowing this and on the way to home my brother is driving his opel, telling me how things have changed in hyderabad itself.
Muslims are openly discriminated, they are not giving jobs and not been treated well. After Sep 11 everybody now has a different opinion about Muslims. I don’t know, until when this will go on. I said to my self, dear lord. What’s going on here, why are they generalizing SEPT 11 attacks with all Muslims and Islam? What Indian Muslims have done we have been living in this country since its existence. How come we are being portrait as what a bunch of losers have done to America? This really hurting and heart breaking. I hope something good will happened to stop this all racial discrimination.