Muslim family barred from entering America to see Disney

A Muslim man and his family from London who planned to visit Disneyland were banned from boarding a Los Angeles bound plane because of their religion.

On the day they were to make the trip (December 15th), Mohammad Tariq Mahmood with two of his children; his brother Zahid and sister-in-law Sadaf, with five of their children; and two nieces who were accompanying them waited at the gate while their bags were on the plane.

While waiting to board the plane, Mohammad Mahmood was called on the intercom and told that at least some of the family would not be allowed to board. They were not given a reason for the ban, according to Mahmood. Their bags were removed from the plane, and they were ordered to return all the duty-free goods they had purchased, and then escorted from the airport.

Read also: Trump wants Muslims travelling to U.S. banned!

A U.S. official said that not all family members were prevented from traveling, but the official did not specify who would have been permitted to travel.
Mahmood said Wednesday that his kids were devastated. “They had big tears in their eyes,” he said.

He also said he still hopes to bring the family to Disneyland someday. “I haven’t unpacked yet, because they still think they’re going to America.”

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now