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-   Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues-686/)
-   -   The TSA and Ramadan (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/1114927-tsa-ramadan.html)

goalie Aug 10, 2010 1:56 pm
The TSA and Ramadan
 
http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/ramadan.shtm

Religious Events of Ramadan
Press & Happenings
August 6, 2010

Ramadan, a religious event for persons of the Muslim faith, begins around August 11, 2010, and ends on September 9, 2010. TSA has reminded its security workforce that traveling passengers may be observed at various areas in the airport - including security checkpoints or on aircraft - engaged in religious practices and meditations during Ramadan. TSA would also like to inform the traveling public that they may notice passengers observing Ramadan engaging in the following activities at the airports:
  1. Passengers observing Ramadan will abstain from any food, water, smoking or vices of any kind.
  2. Passengers observing Ramadan are more likely to engage in prayer at the airports or on airplanes while traveling than at other times during the year.
  3. Before prayer, Muslims go through ablution, i.e., a cleansing or washing of certain areas of the body that is usually done in private if possible, but may be observed in airport restrooms.
  4. Passengers observing Ramadan may be seen reading, listening to or orally reciting the Holy Qur’an at airports and on airplanes.
  5. Passengers observing Ramadan may carry prayer beads and “whisper” prayers constantly.
re: items 2 through 5: now starting the kettle n' sheeple clock for either a terminal dump or a diverted flight :rolleyes:

jrmcrm Aug 10, 2010 2:01 pm
Ramadan is a annual event. I wouldn't worry. If the kettle's didn't go crazy last year, year before, etc, I don't believe they will this year.

jkhuggins Aug 10, 2010 2:21 pm
TSA would also like to inform the traveling public that they may notice passengers observing Ramadan engaging in the following activities at the airports:

1. Passengers observing Ramadan will abstain from any food, water, smoking or vices of any kind.
Um ... how exactly does one notice someone not doing something?

"Hmm. Look at that person over there. He's sitting there not eating, not drinking, and not indulging any other vices. He must be observing Ramadan!" :rolleyes:

(grumble grumble nit pick grumble grumble)

Originally Posted by jrmcrm (Post 14456847)
Ramadan is a annual event. I wouldn't worry. If the kettle's didn't go crazy last year, year before, etc, I don't believe they will this year.
Because, of course, there's no possibility that someone will mistake an ancient religious practice as a terrorist threat.

Don't get me wrong ... I don't think it'll be a big deal, either. But reminding folks that "this is a common activity" is probably a good idea ... especially when the same security apparatus keeps telling people to "report anything unusual" ...

goalie Aug 10, 2010 2:38 pm
Originally Posted by jkhuggins (Post 14457031)
Because, of course, there's no possibility that someone will mistake an ancient religious practice as a terrorist threat.

Don't get me wrong ... I don't think it'll be a big deal, either. But reminding folks that "this is a common activity" is probably a good idea ... especially when the same security apparatus keeps telling people to "report anything unusual" ...
i agree completely but the tsa goes on the attack when it comes to "report anything suspicious" and the media picks it up so in turn, the kettles and sheep can be informed and made to feel safe but how many people (save f/t'ers of course;)) actually read the tsa website :rolleyes:

SATTSO Aug 10, 2010 2:42 pm
Originally Posted by jkhuggins (Post 14456998)
Um ... how exactly does one notice someone not doing something?

"Hmm. Look at that person over there. He's sitting there not eating, not drinking, and not indulging any other vices. He must be observing Ramadan!" :rolleyes:

(grumble grumble nit pick grumble grumble)
I think its more about cultural awareness.

jkhuggins Aug 10, 2010 3:20 pm
Originally Posted by jkhuggins (Post 14456998)
Um ... how exactly does one notice someone not doing something?
Originally Posted by SATTSO (Post 14457126)
I think its more about cultural awareness.
Oh, I agree, and I'm all for it. I'm nitpicking.

The TSA announcement basically says "here's some activities you're likely to see during Ramadan that you might not see as often during the rest of the year" --- and then the first thing listed is fasting, which is an almost completely unobservable activity. There's a logical inconsistency in the announcement. [Insert joke about "TSA consistency" here ...]

alanR Aug 10, 2010 3:38 pm
It's the holiday season and the not-so-frequent flyers are around. Reckon points 2, 4 & 5 will result in some of them undergoing an "emergency evacuation".

FXWizard Aug 10, 2010 4:59 pm
Regarding #1 - unless I'm mistaken, the fasting only lasts until sundown.

N965VJ Aug 10, 2010 5:07 pm
Originally Posted by jkhuggins (Post 14457375)
The TSA announcement basically says "here's some activities you're likely to see during Ramadan that you might not see as often during the rest of the year" --- and then the first thing listed is fasting, which is an almost completely unobservable activity.
Perhaps the TSA thinks that turning down a sample of Chinese food over at the food court could be mistakenly construed as being suspicious. :p

disneybride Aug 10, 2010 5:16 pm
And according to a Muslim friend of mine Ramadan may end Sept 10, or Sept 11. Everyone in her mosque is hoping for the 10th of course, since celebrating Eid Al Fitr on 9/11 will cause the media to go stupid(er) crazy.

PTravel Aug 10, 2010 5:21 pm
Originally Posted by SATTSO (Post 14457126)
I think its more about cultural awareness.
I agree. And kudos to TSA (did I really write that?) for taking the trouble to acknowledge and publicize the customs and practices of Islam.

goalie Aug 10, 2010 5:42 pm
Originally Posted by PTravel (Post 14458073)
Originally Posted by SATTSO (Post 14457126)
I think its more about cultural awareness.
I agree. And kudos to TSA (did I really write that?) for taking the trouble to acknowledge and publicize the customs and practices of Islam.
i completely agree but as i posted earlier, i'm still starting the kettle n' sheeple ignorance* clock for either a terminal dump or a diverted flight


*based on SATTSO's and PTravel's posts, i've added the word ignorance as it is about cultural awareness

PTravel Aug 10, 2010 5:45 pm
Originally Posted by goalie (Post 14458180)
i completely agree but as i posted earlier, i'm still starting the kettle n' sheeple ignorance* clock for either a terminal dump or a diverted flight
No doubt.

FliesWay2Much Aug 10, 2010 5:52 pm
Originally Posted by PTravel (Post 14458073)
I agree. And kudos to TSA (did I really write that?) for taking the trouble to acknowledge and publicize the customs and practices of Islam.
I wouldn't give them too much credit. Most of this was for "internal consumption" so they can say that they were "sensitized" and "aware" the first time one of their screeners does something more stupid than usual.

PTravel Aug 10, 2010 5:58 pm
Originally Posted by FliesWay2Much (Post 14458221)
I wouldn't give them too much credit. Most of this was for "internal consumption" so they can say that they were "sensitized" and "aware" the first time one of their screeners does something more stupid than usual.
However, this also cuts both ways. The next time one of their screeners does something stupid, the screener can't plead ignorance. Regardless, I much prefer this approach over, "TSOs use their discretion when they observe something out of the ordinary and acted properly when they harassed, detained and had arrested the Muslim teenager who was merely praying in accordance with Islamic custom on Ramadan."


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