(WXYZ) — A local Imam is alleging he was the victim of ethnic and religious profiling by federal officers at the airport. He says it happened on his way home from an international flight from South Korea last Thursday.
“I’m very disappointed that they ordered me to leave the plane after a 12 hour flight, and questioned me for 3 more hours without giving me any explanation why” says Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi.
He adds “I gave them the password to my phone and they checked all my emails, Facebook, Twitter and other files as my family waited.” Elahi is known to many in the community as the spiritual leader of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights.
“The officers from Customs & Border Protection knew I was returning from a peace conference, and I’m a U.S. citizen who has lived here for more than 30 years. My family is here and I have never even owned a gun” says Elahi. “I’ve been an advocate for peace my entire life” he adds.
Founder of the Arab American Civil Rights League Nabih Ayad says what happened to the Imam, symbolizes a larger problem. “I’m offended that he was the victim of ethnic prejudice based on his background and religious beliefs. This happens to many people in our community when they travel” says Ayad.
The Imam tells us after the questioning was over, he asked those officers why he was detained but never got a straight answer. In response to our story, a spokesman for CBP confirmed Elahi was questioned and fully cooperated. CBP would not discuss details, only saying all of their policies and procedures were followed fully.
The ACRL is requesting a formal investigation into the incident. “I’m very hurt by this as a proud and patriotic U.S. citizen, and expect to have civil rights and democracy instead of what happened” says Elahi.
