Racial profiling is needed, claims Muslim reform activist

Georgetown University journalism teacher and feminist Muslim reform activist Asra Q. Nomani believes that it’s time for the United States to be realistic when it comes to homeland security, instead of being politically correct. Racial and spiritual profiling would manage airport security concerns in a more practical fashion, she argues in a recent Daily Beast op-ed. This serves as a pointed criticism of the perceived ineffectiveness of the TSA’s current security methods. Source of article – Feminist Muslim reform activist argues for racial profiling by Money Blog Newz.

Reason for racial profiling is religious ideology

According to Nomani, the United States of America must open a dialogue regarding the use of racial profiling in order to address what terrorism experts classify as an explosion of spiritual philosophy that drives terrorist organizations and individuals to heinous acts. Beginning with 9/11 and moving forward with numerous smaller incidents in the United States of America including the recent potential automobile bomb threat in Portland, Ore., Nomani asserts that terrorism has been perpetrated in large part by Muslims. Nomani believes that airport security have a href=”http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/11/27/tsa-screening-backlash/”>proper response that ought to be done. Racial and spiritual profiling is his suggestion. But there would be a twist, according to Nomani – it would be rational profiling.

"Profiling doesn't have to be about discrimination, persecution or harassment. We are not arguing that the TSA should send anyone named Mohammad to be water-boarded somewhere between the first-class lounge and the Pizza Hut," writes Nomani.

Assessment with racial profiling for Nomani

Those with nothing to hide at the airport ought to have no reason for concern, Nomani states. She said, "Profile me. Profile my family." In a debate about the racial profiling issue recently. She said she is willing to be subjected to profiling because "we within the Muslim community have failed to police ourselves." The security ought to be able to see "trouble signs" of terrorism. Nomani says this would fix the problem.

At the beginning of the debate, 37 percent of the audience supported spiritual and racial profiling, with 33 percent against and 30 percent undecided. After the debate, 49 percent voiced their support for racial profiling, while 40 percent were against it and the remainder was undecided. The debate seemed academic. That was good. Whether racial profiling and spiritual profiling could gain popular traction remains to be seen.

Articles cited

BYU

law2.byu.edu/jpl/Vol%2017.1/Macdonald%20pdf.pdf

The Daily Beast

thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-11-29/airport-security-lets-profile-muslims/?cid=hp:mainpromo5

Do the benefits outweigh the costs?

youtube.com/watch?v=Hmqok62n1Wo