Two Muslim men were removed from a plane headed to North Carolina because passengers were uncomfortable, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said.
The incident occurred Friday on a flight from Tennessee to North Carolina.
Masudur Rahman and Mohamed Zaghloul were wearing the traditional Muslim attire.
They were headed to North Carolina for a conference on prejudice against Muslims, according to the affiliate.
Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which operated the flight, said the incident is under investigation.
"Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 5452 from Memphis to Charlotte returned to the gate to allow for additional screening of a passenger and the passenger's companion," the statement said. "We take security and safety very seriously, and the event is currently under investigation."
The statement did not say why the two men were taken off the flight, but said they were given the opportunity to fly on a different flight.
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused," the statement said.
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for CAIR, said the two men contacted his office and said they were told that passengers were uncomfortable with them on the flight.
"We'll be following up on it Monday through our civil rights department," Hooper said.
Rahman, who is a professor at the University of Memphis, told the affiliate that the incident reminded him of the prejudice Rosa Parks faced during the civil rights movement.
"That history I found today in that plane, and it shouldn't happen with any other person," he said.
The incident occurred Friday on a flight from Tennessee to North Carolina.
Masudur Rahman and Mohamed Zaghloul were wearing the traditional Muslim attire.
They were headed to North Carolina for a conference on prejudice against Muslims, according to the affiliate.
Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which operated the flight, said the incident is under investigation.
"Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 5452 from Memphis to Charlotte returned to the gate to allow for additional screening of a passenger and the passenger's companion," the statement said. "We take security and safety very seriously, and the event is currently under investigation."
The statement did not say why the two men were taken off the flight, but said they were given the opportunity to fly on a different flight.
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused," the statement said.
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for CAIR, said the two men contacted his office and said they were told that passengers were uncomfortable with them on the flight.
"We'll be following up on it Monday through our civil rights department," Hooper said.
Rahman, who is a professor at the University of Memphis, told the affiliate that the incident reminded him of the prejudice Rosa Parks faced during the civil rights movement.
"That history I found today in that plane, and it shouldn't happen with any other person," he said.
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