This is a true incident that yours truly experienced way back in 2001. It was just post the 911 incident.
Flying back to the US via Dubai-Frankfurt-Cincinnati on an +Emirates flight (was the cheapest ticket at the time) .Personally it was a troubling time for me and I was reading a book on Hindu philosophy titled "The Art of Man Making" for solace. This book is a series of essays on the Bhagvad Gita.
Emirates decided to divert the flight via Jeddah. I continued reading my book on the flight. But when the flight landed in Jeddah an irate co-passenger started yelling and pointing me out to the air hostess. I was puzzled till he started pointing at the saffron covered book in my hand. The well meaning guy sitting next to me quietly advised me to fasten my seat belt and not get off the flight in any circumstances. I did so.
A long ordeal followed.
Flying back to the US via Dubai-Frankfurt-Cincinnati on an +Emirates flight (was the cheapest ticket at the time) .Personally it was a troubling time for me and I was reading a book on Hindu philosophy titled "The Art of Man Making" for solace. This book is a series of essays on the Bhagvad Gita.
Emirates decided to divert the flight via Jeddah. I continued reading my book on the flight. But when the flight landed in Jeddah an irate co-passenger started yelling and pointing me out to the air hostess. I was puzzled till he started pointing at the saffron covered book in my hand. The well meaning guy sitting next to me quietly advised me to fasten my seat belt and not get off the flight in any circumstances. I did so.
A long ordeal followed.
- The Arab looking air hostess asked (just)me if I would like to get off the flight. I politely refused. At this point the guy sitting next to me muttered something about the Geneva Convention to her. She went away, only to come back later. At this point i was getting very alarmed!
- Meanwhile the fasten seat belt sign went off. The hostess then informed me that the sign was off. I said "OK" and continued to wear my seat belt.
- After 5 minutes the flight was not getting off the ground and i realised that I was causing the delay! She emerged again and asked (only me) if i wanted something to drink. I politely refused and then added:
- " You have the right to remain silent, anything you say may be used against you in the court of law in the USA where i am flying to. I request you not to speak to me for the remaining part of this flight."
- Following this an armed guard wearing a jet black uniform got on the flight. The hostess pointed me out to him. I continued to wear my seat belt he came over and said " Salam wale kum". "Wale kum asalam" I replied. He asked me what i was reading. I showed him the book. He proceeded to ask me if there is anything anti-Muslim in the book. I told him the word "Muslim" does not figure in the book. So how can the book be anti-muslim?
- He then asked me angrily if "Muslim" does not figure in the book what kind of book is this? I told him "I'm trying to find out myself with a laugh" i told him it is a book about philosphy and not religion.
The guard left the flight and the plane took off. (Phew!) I refused food and drink throughout the flight. When the flight landed, as is customary the flight attendants and the pilots (white and Arab) were at the door to see us off at Frankfurt. The white pilot was asking everyone how was the flight? To which i loudly replied
" I was rough and bumpy" "Felt like a Camel Ride!" The white pilot tried hard to control his laughter!
Love and Peace to all.
Milind Thombre
(comments welcome)
