World

United apologises to Muslim woman for soda incident, bans accused crew member

United Airlines issues apology after Northwestern University president termed a previous apology insufficient

Web Desk June 03, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

CHICAGO: United Airlines on Thursday said the flight attendant who allegedly denied a Muslim woman an unopened can of soda will no longer serve customers on their planes, while also officially apologising for the incident.

The apology came after Northwestern University’s president demanded a more open-ended apology from United Airways, terming the previous one as ‘insufficient’.

“The extraordinarily unprofessional and humiliating treatment of one of our community members is shockingly disappointing,” Northwestern’s president Morton Schapiro, said in a statement released on Monday. “I understand that the flight attendant and pilot both later apologised to Chaplain [Tahera] Ahmad. While that is a first step, it should not be the last.”

Later on Wednesday, United Airways issued a statement that read:

“While United did not operate the flight, Ms. Ahmad was our customer and we apologise to her for what occurred on the flight.”

It added that the steward, a Shuttle America employee, will not serve United Airlines customers again.

"United does not tolerate behavior that is discriminatory – or that appears to be discriminatory - against our customers or employees."

The airlines added that its employees, especially those dealing with customers, undergo cultural sensitivity training.

"All of United’s customer-facing employees undergo annual and recurrent customer service training, which includes lessons in cultural awareness. Customer-facing employees for Shuttle America also undergo cultural sensitivity training, and United will continue to work with all of our partners to deliver service that reflects United’s commitment to cultural awareness."

Discriminated at 30,000 feet

Ahmad, in a Facebook post on May 29 detailed the incident.

The chaplain was on a United flight, operated by Shuttle America, headed from Chicago to Washington DC. She asked a flight attendant if she could have an unopened can of soda, rather than the opened one she’d been given. The flight attendant replied, according to Ahmad, that it was against company policy to hand out unopened cans — because they might be used as weapons.

When another passenger was provided an unopened can, Ahmad protested what was discrimination. Instead of others backing her, Ahmad claimed that one passenger got up and told her, “You Muslim, you need to shut the f*** up.”

“Ahmad should receive a more formal apology from United, along with assurances that United will train staff so that she, and others, are never again subjected to such discrimination on a United flight,” the university’s president had demanded.

On May 31, Ahmad had said that the initial apology offered by the flight crew and subsequent contact by the airlines was not sufficient.

"Unfortunately United has dismissed my entire narrative and trivialized it to a can of soda. As a Premier frequent flyer at United, I have been served unopened canned beverages many times and I have followed United procedures in all of my travels. It is ridiculing to my integrity to dismiss the discrimatory behavior towards me."

She added that it was not her intention to have the flight attendant, but the airlines did so anyways.

"I want to make it very clear to the public that my intentions are NOT to get the flight attendant who behaved very rudely towards me fired. I simply did not expect United Airlines to dismiss the unwarranted and unfortunate rude behavior, discrimination and hateful words but rather acknowledge their accountability and role in the painful experience and share corrective measures within their training to prevent this from happening again regardless of their race, religion, gender, sex, or socioeconomic background."

This article originally appeared on the Chicago Sun Times

COMMENTS (39)

Harris | 8 years ago | Reply @Tariq. Absolutely agreed. I am certain Islamophobia will increase in US,France, Britain, etc. Muslims who are there must think about that and plan accordingly. I'd advice that they leave these hostile places and move elsewhere.

Sarah | 8 years ago | Reply Discrimination is wrong, to anyone. I am tired of reading comments that seperate the United States and Muslims. I am an American. I was born and baptized Catholic, later in my life I was sent to the Methodist church, and while in foster care attended a Pentecostal church. Today, I am a Muslim, but I have always been an American. I recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem each morning at school, and I am a peaceful individual who has a family and is just trying to live my life. Let's learn from the mistakes our Ancestors made, don't allow the hatred for others to consume you. Embrace everyone, view others as you want to be viewed. Our nation would be so much stronger if we put the hate on hold. The groups in the world calling themselves Muslim, like ISIS, are not Muslim. They are cowards who need something to hide behind. Islam is all about peace. Every holy book can be taken out of context, and every religion has individuals who do that, otherwise there would be no Waco or Warren Jeff's in our world. Look beyond those crazy individuals, look for hope. Hope that all Americans can join together and stand strong, no matter thier religion or lack of religion, united against a common enemy. That enemy is not a religion, it is not Islam, but rather those twisted individuals who view freedom as wrong.

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Rizwan Farooqi | 8 years ago | Reply @The Ugly American: Well United Airlines may be safe from Muslims ( Non humans to you the highness) as arrogance and strong headedness is a common trait of most Americans who listened to all their life from media how good they are and how evil the rest of the world is, especially muslim world ( the usual fairy tales based of hatred while some muslims or a good deal of them are no better than the others) but I guess a world would be a safe place if America wouldn@t be a super power as thez need war to sell their weapons, have no respect for United nations or the rest of the world provided they are killing muslims like in Palestine and other places and when they do all this then they call themselves civilized and the nation that is blessed by God. The world sees the picture, especially here in Europe how minorities are treated, especially by the police ..... am saying this with regard to black Americans so being racist or nasty or even murder members of minority, whether it be a black or christian is not bad, because Americans are doing this and when they do such things, they do not need to justify because they are Americans. That's the justification and qualification. That's it but the world's media and people on the Internet are not dumbed down by repeated hate inciting news on American media, trying to justify why Ameirca has to be everzwhere to get things right by killing people, especially muslims. The terrorism came by bigots long after a lot of nations were terrorized by the holy USA so people just if you are American, you have every right to insult, murder, humiliate people becaus you are an American. End of the story !!!!

Mirsa | 8 years ago | Reply Juz take the matter as passenger and airline.. As a premium frequent flyier of United airline, Ms Ahmed or any other guest should not be facing such an incident onboard.. As a reputed airline United Airline should be serving thier guest at most satisafaction.. Here the airline crew open up a way for another guest to abuse Ms Ahmed which is not acceptable in anyways. And for all she is a Women. ( Women should be always respected.Dont know the american guest was not aware of it)..

straightshooter | 8 years ago | Reply @observer: And why not?

iTellU | 8 years ago | Reply @The Ugly American: Wow! You are UGLY!

Khurram Saeed | 8 years ago | Reply @Allah Ditta: pity an apologist like you

Tariq | 8 years ago | Reply One thing is for sure, the "american dream" you all went in search for is drawing its last breath ...... We should stay in our own countries and strive to grow and prosper here. No amount of dollars is worth such humiliation.

straightshooter | 8 years ago | Reply @Sceptic: This would be a West appreciation moment, and not the Islam-bashing one. But You, like a text-book Indian, have to do what is to be done regardless of the time and place. Hence the sanitary conditions in your metropolises.

OCmon! | 8 years ago | Reply @Allah Ditta: Sir AD, its not Pakistan or India where a "livelihood" is a life long ambition to get. Here in the West, the safety of the Airline, its thousand employees, the related Business, and of the passengers are more important. Loosing hundreds of thousands of Muslims customers and their friends from getting United Ticket will make lot more people loose their livelihood. Airlines are fighting over bread for air travelers and it all relies of SERVICE. We know, loaded PIA flight is turned around to another city to drop a senators daughter, all those passengers will never get on PIA again is NO PROBLEM in Pakistan.

MA | 8 years ago | Reply So now what, all Muslims will only fly United? This makes it even more difficult for the next Hijabi Lady to fly in any airline. First thought that will prevail among the staff will surely be " So now what is this one going to pick on us about"

SMD | 8 years ago | Reply @Raza: why are you surprised? because I know your location. It is easy to comment in general, look violence in Pakistan is not against the minorities only each and every section or faction (I dont believe in media when they segregate the victims, they are just Pakistanis and paying the price of being partner of US in the so called war on terror), Sunnis, Ahle Hadith, Shias, Ismailis, Qadianis, Christians, even foreigners are targeted by Indian goons in guise of Taliban.

SMD | 8 years ago | Reply @The Ugly American: You are welcome Mr American of whatever sort, but please note its not only Muslims but other faiths too who condemned this incident, on top of it even United realised it, if it was for you at United's policy making desk the airline would not have been able to fly. Try to grow up man the world has become responsible, United did well. SO its time for people like you to bury the hatchet. Dont be ashamed.

FMK | 8 years ago | Reply @Sceptic: I get your point, but the United States has a completely different moral and ethical system than all of them. We stand up for equality, and freedom - Discrimination of any type is against our values - the core principals this nation was built on - Let us not compare ourselves to other Muslim countries -

Malik | 8 years ago | Reply @Allah Ditta: your are such an idiot.

Raza | 8 years ago | Reply @SMD- Brilliant response. Precisely what basis are you denying my Pakistani-American dual nationality on? I'm just curious. @Talha- What's intolerant about it? Discrimination happens both in US and Pakistan (before you deny the latter- just ask the Hazaras/Muhajirs/Ahmedis how tolerant Pakistani society is). I have hardly faced any discrimination in the US; but of course its present (such as the recent anti-Muslim ads on the MTA in NY or the biker protest in Arizona). That kind of stuff is what alarms me. Something as minor (and frankly silly) as this airline incident is hardly worth shouting victimhood over. @Sana- there are arrogant Americans, and there are humble ones. Cant stereotype. Sorry. Nobody apologizes anywhere in the world if they're not caught.

ahmad | 8 years ago | Reply @Sceptic: have you been in a non muslim country? plz visit some country and then tell me about their hospitality, just read these articles. http://www.christiantoday.com/article/nigeria.200.young.muslims.protect.christians.from.attack/45069.htm http://www.jihadwatch.org/2015/01/nigeria-christians-debunk-reports-that-muslims-protected-christians http://tribune.com.pk/story/614333/muslims-form-human-chain-to-protect-christians-during-lahore-mass/ http://www.christianpost.com/news/viral-photo-shows-muslims-protecting-church-in-egypt-as-congregants-attend-mass-amid-threat-of-attack-102592/ its the thoughts of you guyz. we muslims gave first priority to the others. and in muslim countries other people can easily live in any scenario. and talking about discriminatory. dont you remember what you guyz did wiht muslims after 9/11 incident.

Habib | 8 years ago | Reply Thank God this happened in air. If this was to happen on ground, that woman would have been shot dead by US police.

The Ugly American | 8 years ago | Reply After this incident, Muslims to boycott United Airlines. This will make United the safest airlines in America. Thanks to Tahera Ahmad.

observer | 8 years ago | Reply Now she will try to use this to milk a few million dollars from United.

afsah | 8 years ago | Reply The issue was not about a can of soda, it was a much deeper, rooted problem faced by Muslims. I am glad that Tahera stood up for herself and didn't hide in the shadows of explicit discrimination and that United Airlines acknowledged the incident and acted upon it. She did not do this for fame but only to serve as a precedent for future flyers about being treated with dignity and respect. It is her right to be respected and if someone has a problem about it, they need to change their attitude because its the 21st century and we are a free country. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Sana | 8 years ago | Reply @Raza: Everyone's dignity is important. Arrogant americans are good at hurting others. Unless they get caught, they don't apologise. No one gives a damn if you live in America. What happened to this woman doesn't justify how you get treated.

Skhan | 8 years ago | Reply In US citizens have rights! All I have to say...

Rumormonger | 8 years ago | Reply I would have sued the airline and the shouting passenger. Apparently @Raza and @ Allah Ditta have not travelled with an Indian. Constant naggers!

Talha | 8 years ago | Reply @Raza: sorry for your intolerant remarks, you might be facing discrimination in USA due to any reason of your own. try to help you out. we don't discriminate people neither like that someone do it with us.

Talha | 8 years ago | Reply @Allah Ditta: 'its not the problem of job or a small thing, its to make things better for others. she did the right thing to put into social media, we have came across several times regarding the same behavior but ignored due to less courage to talk about it. Ms. Tahira, you have done the great work on behalf of thousands of other. we should give respect to everyone for their presence either sharing a plane or a place.

SMD | 8 years ago | Reply @Raza: niether you live in US nor you have any experience of living in Pakistan, if your only source is media than yes American flag on moon was waving.

Shahid Ahmed | 8 years ago | Reply @Allahditta, Sceptic & other likewise. Why it has to be Faith VS Faith? Things should be looked into humanity perspective. Discriminatory actions are principally wrong and should be dealt accordingly. Ms. Ahmed was a passenger, like any body else on the plane. She was entitled to have any drink she wanted, and should be served according to airline policies. If you bring someone's appearance into it then it's a clear case of discrimination. They way Muslim countries are operating is completely wrong too, and against many human rights. But this does not entitled others to make it a case. US has very clear policies regarding discrimination, and should be repected all the times. Any person violating it is going against the law. Again, it has nothing to do with any body,s faith. Human bieng is a human bieng, and has to be respected accordingly, untill unless that person acts inappropriately.

Rangoonwala | 8 years ago | Reply @Allah Ditta: Racist and bigoted employees.are the ones that get huge corporations in severe deep problems. Resulting in loss of millions of dollars. But this may be hard for you to understand.This lady has grounds for a million dollar lawsuit now. Which again, you will not understand.

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply Now Americans deserve some praise but they won't hear from these bigots.

SC | 8 years ago | Reply This flight attendant has been scapegoated for the "greater good". This apology and the subsequent suspension of the stewardess has only been based on the story of one party. It quotes no passengers to back it up. It does not quote the flight attendant, nor does it quote United blaming the flight attendant. The farthest United goes is suspending her solely on the basis that the behavior "could have been discriminatory." We're hearing only one side of the story here. Perception trumps facts. United is apologizing because they don't want media backlash from people immediately blaming them for islamophobia. They're under pressure to offer an immediate solution, so they offer up the flight attendant's job to quell the social media lynch mob. Facts and counterargument are irrelevant, and they know it, as does every other CEO in the country: do not allow your company to be seen as bigoted. It's bad for profits and the shareholders won't like it.

M@NI | 8 years ago | Reply KUDOOS FOR STANDING UPRIGHT!!!

Raza | 8 years ago | Reply Such absolute nonsense. It was a trivial incident to begin with; I live in the US and open cans of sodas are fairly common. The actual abusive language came from a passenger, not the attendant. If Ms. Tahera Ahmed feels that this incident counts as discrimination, she's lucky she's never faced real discrimination (which includes the kind practiced in most Muslim countries, including Pakistan, against religious/sectarian and ethnic minorities).

ziaurrehman | 8 years ago | Reply @Sceptic: Definition of full rights might be different for u and may be different for someone else. As for the basics rights, ie right to health education and housing, protection are concerned, countries like Pakistan by constitution are bound to provide every citizen with these things regardless of their religion. Only thing that's not possible is that non muslim cannot become head of the state or Prime minister but that doesn't mean they cannot hold high office. example of this can be seen from Rana Bhagwandas holding position of chief justice of Pakistan for a good period.

Reality Check | 8 years ago | Reply her livelihood was taken away by her own actions it is ridiculous reading the comments on this article. Are you trying to justify the flight attendants actions? Two wrongs make a right? What happened to her on an airplane where she was stuck 30000 feet above the air with hostile people is not on United should apologize for not taking proper action for that aspect and the hurt that the passenger felt.

ziaurrehman | 8 years ago | Reply @Allah Ditta: Bigots have to be taught a lesson so that they may become good member of society. Hope this lesson will be enough for the attendant and He/she will become a better human. Moreover, united airlines had no other choice but to kick the bigot out as it would have been detrimental for their own business in future if they had not....

Gulsher Yousafzai | 8 years ago | Reply US remains an open society which prides itself own equality for all. The actions taken by Ahmad and Schapiro should be applauded and others should also be encouraged to speak up whenever they feel discriminated against. This is exactly how US will remain a destination for bright talent from all around the word, thereby helping its economy in the short and long runs. There's no point in beating the drum of democracy aloud while treatment of a country's peoples is varied depending upon which group they belong to.

Sceptic | 8 years ago | Reply Meanwhile, not one of the 50 odd Muslims countries grant full rights to non-Muslims. However, Muslims are so quick to jump for their rights when they are in a non-Muslim country. Replace the Muslim pastor with a Hindu or Christian in Muslim country's airline and an apology for discrimination will be a dream.

Allah Ditta | 8 years ago | Reply You took away someone's livelihood for something very small. Is it not vengeance and does Islam encourages such a behavior? I am dismayed by young lady's action or more so of the President of Northwestern University's. Prudence should come before emotionalism.

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