Flying While Muslim: The Case of the Six Imams!

Welcome to the website for the case of Shqeirat et al v. U. S. Airways Group, et al, commonly known as the "Six Imams Case". In March 2007, six imams filed a discrimination lawsuit against U.S. Airways after the airline violated the rights of the imams on November 20, 2006.

On November 20, 2006, the six Muslim religious leaders were scheduled to fly on a U.S. Airways flight from Minneapolis, MN to Phoenix, AZ. Prior to boarding, four of the imams prayed in the airport terminal. Then, all six boarded the airplane and sat in their pre-assigned seats. One of the six imams changed seats because he was blind and needed assistance. Two of the imams asked for seatbelt extensions for their comfort.

The imams were removed from the flight and interrogated for several hours by various law enforcement and federal agents. They were asked questions about their political views.

Even after the Six Imams were cleared of any wrongdoing, U.S. Airways continued to refuse service to them.

The Six Imams' constitutional and civil rights were violated when they were humiliatingly forced off of the flight, regarded with suspicion prior to boarding their flight, and then subjected to hours of questioning by F.B.I and Secret Service agents for apparent non-security-related, illegitimate considerations. The Imams' degrading experience continued after being cleared by law enforcement officials as they were denied service on all subsequent U.S. Airways flights on November 20 and 21.

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The imams need your help in supporting this case. They are engaged in a challenging legal battle to contest the treatment they received that November in 2006. The imams hope that the community will stand beside them to reinforce the notion that all people must be free to travel without fear of prejudice.

Please read more about this important civil rights case here.

[thanks RJ]