When writer Annie Jacobsen noticed 14 Arab men acting strangely on a flight from Detroit to Los Angeles, her fear brought near panic to the airline and staff. The airline landed safely and all concerned parties were questioned and released. But the article Jacobsen wrote and her subsequent fire fueling follow up documented the incident as a potential terrorist "dry run" (although why terrorists would use the same m.o. twice is unclear), despite the fact that no one was held or charged. Arab and Muslim groups, naturally, were concerned. "Even those who are good people with good intentions cannot help but look at things in a very suspicious way," said Imad Habib, of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. "We've got to be vigilant as citizens, but we also have to be calm."

Soon enough, the lead musician was identified as Nour Mehana, a well known Syrian musician (Syria's Wayne Newton?), who flew in first class. His backup band, later accused of flying without visas, was the subject of the piece (returning to Washington DC on one way JetBlue tickets before leaving the country). Although the groups alleged on-board behaviour was odd (note to Arabs flying in groups in the US: don't play out your worst stereotypes), Jacobsen still seems convinced of the worst. "If terrorists can learn to fly planes, couldn't they learn to play instruments?" Ah, those terrorists. They'll always be smarter than you think.

AADC, CAIR, etc need to take a cue from org.s like GLAAD, NAACP, SAJA, ADL, etc. They don't let a single stereotype go unanswered, but respond with full court press. They usually get the originator to back off, retract, apologize.

Why is the Muslim response to her so mealy-mouthed?

From what I have read on this site about this incident the men WERE acting in a suspicious manner.
If the authorities had not, at the least, detained these men for questioning they would have been lax in their duty to protect society.

They were also thoroughly checked before boarding the flight. What were they going to do - assemble a bomb out of ouds and drums? That said, I'm glad to see that air marshalls were on duty and acting with appropriate calm (i.e. keeping an eye on things without causing general panic like Ms. Jacobsen did.)

Hi, I'm a regular reader of altmuslim.com, though I'm not Muslim. I value the fresh perspective and the stories that just don't get covered in the mainstream press. This story, sadly has been burning up the internet, I'm glad you're covering it.

One point making the rounds on the blogosphere is that Nour Mehana has a song called "Um El Shaheed" (he does, on the CD "Raq El Zaman"
http://hometown.aol.com/musicaxis/mehana.htm ).

Unfortunately I, like most Americans---and especially those who are most likely to take this scare story seriously--- don't know Arabic, so we have to rely on someone else's translation of the lyrics. The translation that's been getting around is the following, taken from the blog it first appeared on http://www.heatherwilhelm.com/Heather_Wilhelm_dot_com--Nour_Mehana.html

"Mr. Mehana has a nice little song on his recent CD, by the way.Ü It's
called "Um El Shaheed."ÜÜ

In English, that's "Mother of a Martyr."ÜÜÜÜ

...Since martyrdom seemed an odd topic for a casino crooner, I called the Middle East
Media Research Institute. I spoke with Aluma Dankowtiz, who is fluent in
Arabic, to find out exactly what Mr. Mehana has to say.ÜÜ

"Mother of a Martyr" glorifies the death of a young Palestinian.Ü Mehana sings
to a grieving mother that she should not be sad, because her son, who died as
a martyr, is a hero.Ü She should be happy that her son is gone, Mehana croons,
because freeing Palestine and the Golan Heights are heroic goals.Ü The song,
which starts slow and solemn, ends with a triumphant chorus, celebrating the
martyr's glorious death:Ü "Allahu Akbar...Allahu Akbar...Allahu Akbar!"ÜÜ "

I don't know much about the Middle East Media Research Institute, but the praise http://www.memri.org/aboutus.html#quotes they have on their site seem to be primarily from Neo-Cons and right-leaning media like FOXNews. I'm guessing they have a pro-Israel bias. I'd like to get the unbiased (or at least differently biased) translation from someone here. Can anyone help?

By the way, a very funny send up of Jacobsen's original article was on Salon last week http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2004/07/21/askthepilot95/index.html "She survived a flight with 14 harmless Syrian musicians -- then spread 3,000 bigoted and paranoid words across the Internet. As a pilot and an American, I'm appalled."

Let's see? When was the last time a group of White, Black, Hispanic, or Asian men flew a plane into a building? Oh, it's never happened has it? Annie Jacobson didn't do a thing wrong on her flight from Detroit. Syrian "Musicians" did by acting in an allegedly inappropriate manner. Oh wait! They were being "humorous"! I'm laughing so hard now! Pretending to be terroists is such a hoot.

From SALON:
July 21, 2004 Ü|Ü The piece in question, "Terror in the Skies, Again?" is the work of Annie Jacobsen, a writer for WomensWallStreet.com. Jacobsen shares the account of the emotional meltdown she and her fellow passengers experienced when, aboard a Northwest Airlines flight from Detroit to Los Angeles, a group of Middle Eastern passengers proceeded to act "suspiciously." I'll invite you to experience "Terror" yourself, but be warned it's quite long. It needs to be, I suppose, since ultimately it's a story about nothing, puffed and aggrandized to appear important.

The editors get the drama cooking with some foreboding music: "You are about to read an account of what happened," counsels a 70-word preamble. "The WWS Editorial Team debated long and hard about how to handle this information and ultimately we decided it was something that should be shared ... Here is Annie's story" [insert lower octave piano chord here].

What follows are six pages of the worst grade-school prose, spring-loaded with mindless hysterics and bigoted provocation.

From SALON:
Aside from matters of politics and general opinion, is Jacobsen playing fast and loose with the facts? There appear to be embellishments in her original tale.
light 327, as she, her husband and several passengers and crew are having their nervous breakdowns, comes this instance of B-movie tension: "[The flight attendant] leaned over and quietly told my husband there were federal air marshals sitting all around us. She asked him not to tell anyone and explained that she could be in trouble for giving out that information. She then continued serving drinks."

Are we to believe not only that an airline professional was unwise enough to reveal such a thing, but that a group of marshals -- not one, not two, but several -- having gotten word that a covey of Arabs were flying to LAX, were on hand to trail and observe them? That's some tight logistical planning. Are we following Middle Easterners through airports now? If so, how does that work at Kennedy International, I wonder, where foreign airliners carrying thousands of passengers arrive daily from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, the UAE and elsewhere? That's a lot of dry runs, and there's no love lost, after all, between Muslim radicals and the governments who own and operate these airlines -- Pakistan International, Saudi Arabian, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, etc. Such subtleties are lost on that segment of the public who'd prefer a more digestible cock-and-bull yarn from high above the American heartland. As for those wacky airlines from abroad, why not simply ban them from American airspace?

bnfree wrote:
>Pretending to be terroists is such a hoot.

How were they pretending to be terrorists?

Because they went to the bathroom?
Because they were Muslim?
Because they travelled in a group?
Because they looked at each other?

Oh no, I get it, because Annie said so, and Annie is of course a paragon of journalistic excellence. having a trail of first-hand reporting experience on this topic!

That Annie lied is clear from this one line from SALON, worth repeatong:

Are we to believe not only that an airline professional was unwise enough to reveal such a thing, but that a group of marshals -- not one, not two, but several -- having gotten word that a covey of Arabs were flying to LAX, were on hand to trail and observe them? That's some tight logistical planning. Are we following Middle Easterners through airports now? If so, how does that work at Kennedy International, I wonder, where foreign airliners carrying thousands of passengers arrive daily from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, the UAE and elsewhere? That's a lot of dry runs, and there's no love lost, after all, between Muslim radicals and the governments who own and operate these airlines -- Pakistan International, Saudi Arabian, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, etc. Such subtleties are lost on that segment of the public who'd prefer a more digestible cock-and-bull yarn from high above the American heartland. As for those wacky airlines from abroad, why not simply ban them from American airspace?

From SALON again:
Even a number of right-wing bloggers initially expressed skepticism over the story's authenticity. Some wondered about Jacobsen's account of a flight attendant confiding to her and her anxious husband that several federal air marshals were onboard and monitoring the situation closely -- a revelation that would be forbidden by regulations. Others say Jacobsen is just plain wrong in claiming that a federal guideline banning passengers from congregating in airplane aisles was only instituted following the suspicious activity on her June 29 flight.

But since Monday night, after Jacobsen and her husband appeared on MSNBC's "Scarborough Country," the story has been gaining credence -- and now has many on the political right pounding the table for increased racial profiling in airports and stronger scrutiny of what they consider a woefully inadequate Homeland Security policy. Blogger Donald Sensing (One Hand Clapping) notes that there's "a lot of disagreement over substantial parts of the bona fides of Annie's piece," but that it's getting a wave of attention with very good reason:

"It wasn't kilt-wearing Scotsmen who committed 9/11's grim deeds ... even if these 14 Arab men were entirely innocuous, on another airliner somewhere, somewhen, [sic] there seem certain to be other Arab men who intend destruction. The enemy is still out there and he still wants to kill us."

naeem_bengali wrote:
How were they pretending to be terrorists?
Because they went to the bathroom?
Because they were Muslim?
Because they travelled in a group?
Because they looked at each other?
topic!


Because they went to the bathroom? No, but the fact that they went to the bathroom all at the same time, numerous times throughout the flight. If the entire plane went to the bathroom in unison, I would find that unusual too!

Because they were Muslim? Perhaps, but we have been told over and over that certain groups of Muslim's believe that it is their mission to kill others in by being a Martyr which will reap rewards later in heaven. These men/women do not care who they take with them. Was 9/11 a rare situation that just happened with one plane, oh I forgot, two planes, oh forgive me three planes all on the same day?? Is that being paranoid, or pointing the blame toward Men, of middle eastern decent unfairly?

Because they traveled in a group? Yes, when they appear to be acting in an unusul way such as reported in this case.

Because they looked at each other? Come on, they were scattered all over the plane. They stood in front of emergency exits at the same time, They allegedly had a synchronized set of movements along with eye contact. According to the accounts, not just from Annie but others on the flight, their actions appeared to be synchronized, included hand gestures, and they all jumped up after the landing instructions to fasten seat belts at one time. This was not just Annies impression of what happen on the plane. You may want to read the Washington Post regarding other airline employees that report similar situations during other flights.

It is unfortunate for Muslims in America because they also suffer unfairly. but let me ask you, if there was a rumor of a hungry wolf in your neighborhood looking for food, would you disregard the warnings and leave your baby boy in the front yard unguarded and unattended?

Somehow I think not.

(http://www.heatherwilhelm.com/Heather_Wilhelm_dot_com--Nour_Mehana.html)

(http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040727-123853-7608r.htm)

lolalee wrote:
>Was 9/11 a rare situation that just happened with one plane, oh I forgot, two planes, oh forgive me three planes all on the same day?? Is that being paranoid, or pointing the blame toward Men, of middle eastern decent unfairly?

LolaLee, that's a cheap shot. Your imputation by using that patronizing phrase "oh I forgot, two planes, oh forgive me three planes" (it was FOUR actually) is that, we Muslims have forgotten what happened on 9/11, or need to be reminded by YOU.

9/11 is not just your tragedy, its everybody's tragedy. My friend's cousin died in Tower 1, another friend was trapped in her office for hours, I watched in horror as the whole thing unfolded, and rushed downtown on my bike to find out what happened to my girlfriend. You can read about some of those moments here:

The Difference A Year Makes

9/11: The "Other" Victims

We are all in this together.

Remember this, Islamic Extremists don't just want to kill you, they want to kill me as well. In fact, liberal, progressive, feminist Muslims like us are a bigger enemy to them than the West.

Even if there were a dozen consecutive flights filled with suspicious-acting but ultimately innocent Arabs, that wouldnÌt suspend the laws of human nature and human conduct. Considerate, intelligent individuals donÌt ÏpushÓ people who are already on edge (i.e., all of post-9/11 America), and these Arab musicians did exactly that Ò they ignored the obvious likelihood that their group behavior could be misinterpreted and failed to consciously keep a relatively low profile.

When there have been interracial tensions in a neighborhood, itÌs inflammatory (and thoughtless) behavior when someone of either race acts insensitively or aggressively just as tensions are beginning to subside. White people walking into the inner city shouting, ÏHey, anybody got some drugs I can buy?Ó shouldnÌt be surprised if they get roughed up. And groups of Arab males Ò whether theyÌre Arab-American or foreign nationals Ò are inflammatory and less-than-considerate when flying in U.S. airspace while the war on terror is still being fought if they behave in any manner other than fairly restrained. You and I would have the intelligence to restrain ourselves among a group of Ïopen bordersÓ advocates (supporting free movement into and out of the U.S. from Mexico). In other words, weÌd state that controlling immigration is not only the prerogative but the duty of a national government. But weÌd be thoughtful enough NOT to walk through that group carrying signs saying ÏTo hell with MexicansÓ.

Well, like it or not, world Arabs must either keep a somewhat subdued profile when in the U.S. (until the war on terror is over) or fully expect to encounter fear and even hatred. They may cry ÏdiscriminationÓ, but remind them that if they REALLY wanted to be treated well in the U.S., theyÌd openly and regularly repudiate violence, loudly condemn al-Qaeda and Palestinian terrorism, complain bitterly about Muslim sexism and, while complaining about IsraelÌs settlement practices and sometimes excessive force in responding to Palestinian attacks, praise that nation for a democracy and pluralism that fully includes its large Arab population. Until Arabs can do that Ò in other words, consistently find fault with themselves as well as others Ò they will not be considered balanced enough to deserve being listened to when they complain of mistreatment aboard U.S. commercial flights or anywhere else in the U.S.

bnfree wrote:
>When was the last time a group of White, Black, Hispanic, or Asian men flew a plane into a building?

White
1. Timothy McVeigh rammed a truck full of explosives into a building.
2. Weather Underground were all white. They blew up buildings.
3. John Walker Lindh, fought with the Taliban, but would probably have blown stuff up given half the chance.
4. Symbionese Liberation Army
5. Red Brigade (Brigasti Rossi)
6. Baader-Meinhoff

Hispanic
1. Jose Padilla, who's in permanent detention as an "enemy combatant". Read about it on a past post on my mailing list:
Gangbanger, Radical Muslim, poor Puerto Rican, Bad Guy

Black
1. Richard Reid, the alleged "shoe bomber", is half-Jamaican.
2. The Portland alleged terror cell had at least 3 black members.
3. According to the Feds, MOVE and The Panthers was also planning to blow up buildings in the 1970s, which justified the firebombing of MOVE HQ.

Dave O'Malley wrote:
>theyÌd openly and regularly repudiate violence, loudly condemn al-Qaeda and Palestinian terrorism, complain bitterly about Muslim sexism

Dave O'Malley, my friend, you've come to the right place. We here at AltMuslim.com regularly repudiate violence, condemn Al-Qaeda, and complain about Muslim sexism, as do our colleagues at MuslimWakeUp and Shobak.Org.

And we're available to speak on TV and Radio, so call us, don't just call Annie and get one side of the story.

In fact, tomorrow, you can hear me at 1PM EST on Your Call Radio w Laura Flanders

And you can read about our support of Muslim women's rights in last week's New York Times and BBC.

Regarding Syrian crooner Nour Mehana's song Julia asks... "I'd like to get the unbiased (or at least differently biased) translation from someone here. Can anyone help?"

Here you go Julia...
The Syrian singer of a band that was detained by the FBI's Terrorism Task Force for suspicious activity during a recent flight to Los Angeles (the same flight as Annie Jacobson). Mehana has written about the "glorification" of suicide bombers to liberate Palestine.
Singer Nour Mehana's latest album includes the song "Um El Shaheed," or "Mother of a Martyr". Here is the translation from the Middle East Media Research Institute: The song tells the story of a woman who mourned her son's death until she realized that he died for a good cause and he should be glorified for what he did. Mr. Mehana, widely known as the Syrian Wayne Newton, sings to the mother that her son's goals are heroic and she should be happy he is dead. The song opens with the depiction of a mother crying over her son. He has said goodbye to his friends and family and is not going to come back. He went with a weapon in one palm and his heart in another palm and he's not going to come back. He went to fight to free Palestine, Golan Heights and South Lebanon."
The song ends with chants of "Allahu akbar," or "God is great," a common Muslim expression.
By the way, those were the last words shouted by a September 11 hijacker before the plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field and have been the last words of many suicide bombers in Israel.

Martyrdom is not a bad word despite what people who target defenseless civilians may do to trash it by suicide bombing etc. The resistance to Israeli agression is not terrorism by definition, bombing yourself to death is. Imagine if someone saw American troops singing about all the great Americans who died to defend our freedom. Maybe they would even call them martyrs. Would there be an out cry saying they are terrorists? Look at these disturbing lyrics:

And IÌm proud to be an American,
where at least I know IÌm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
ÎCause there ainÌt no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

what if the lyrics were:

And I'm proud to be Palestinian,
Oh how I wish we were free
And I won't forget the men who died
Trying to earn that right for me

And I proudly stand up
next to you and defend her still today
Cuz there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless Palestine (well it doesn't rhyme but you get the picture :-) )

We need to incarcerate these terrorists. If an arab consoles a mother who lost children to Israeli agression and says he is a martyr in a cause, we condemn him as supporting terror? If the song talks of destroying civilians or killing non-combatants, I agree thats terror. But to sit here and condemn someone for writing a song called mother of a martyr saying they shouldn't ride a plane I find ridiculous.

Brilliant act by Annie Jacobson, remind me to call 911 next time I see shaggy man saying Mazel Tov.

Salon's Patrick Smith sums it up pretty well:

"The bulk of evidence suggests the men were here in full legal compliance. "There was no legal basis for any manner of law enforcement," says David Adams, spokesperson of the Federal Air Marshals, a division of the Department of Homeland Security. "Everything was carefully checked out. Agents interrogated the men, attended their concert, and verified their stay
at a local hotel." Adams tells me the men had played several gigs at numerous venues around the country.

Of course, you needn't be a convicted criminal or watch-listed radical operative to be a potential terrorist. With nothing else to go on, Jacobsen's allies keep coming around to the "dry run" theory. The trouble with this proposition is that it leaves open every Arab, and for that matter anybody who is conspicuously Near Eastern, Middle Eastern, Indian, or
Central Asian, to a guilty-until-innocent presumption. The dry run idea provides a vague, but craftily indisputable fallback. Who can prove it wasn't a rehearsal?"

Also, for those who think I'm trying to say this incident is either a "dry run" or "harmless fun," my point is that it is neither. The quote from the ADC reflects our opinion on the matter: "Even those who are good people with good intentions cannot help but look at things in a very suspicious way," said Imad Habib, of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. "We've got to be vigilant as citizens, but we also have to be calm."

Glad to see I've flushed out the xenophobes who want to believe otherwise.