Manchester: Muslim women barred from flight for refusing 'naked' full-body scan

Manchester: Muslim women barred from flight for refusing 'naked' full-body scan


A Muslim woman was barred from boarding a flight to Pakistan after refusing to go through a new 'naked' full-body scanner at Manchester Airport on religious grounds.


Her companion also declined to be scanned for 'medical reasons'.


The women were travelling together to Islamabad when they were selected to pass through the controversial security screen after checking-in at terminal two at the airport.


Both told airport staff they were not willing to be scanned. They were warned they would not be allowed to board the Pakistan International Airlines flight if they refused.


The pair decided they would rather forfeit their £400 tickets and left the airport with their luggage.


They are the first passengers to refuse to pass through one of the £80,000 scanners, introduced at Heathrow and Manchester airports on February 5.


The X-ray machines allow security staff to see a 'naked' image of passengers to show up hidden weapons and explosives.


Manchester Airport confirmed the passengers had refused to be scanned but said it had received no complaint from the women.


However, civil liberties campaigners say the incident could form the basis of a legal test case to challenge the use of the Rapiscan device in airports.


(...)


Councillor Afzal Khan, who was Manchester's first Asian lord mayor, said the vast majority of Muslims believed that any privacy concerns should be outweighed by ensuring they are safe when flying.


He said: 'Hundreds of Muslim passengers have gone through without a problem. While I appreciate people's concerns for privacy, these steps are necessary for our safety and security.'


A Manchester Airport spokesman said: 'Two female passengers who were booked to fly out of Terminal Two refused to be scanned for medical and religious reasons.


'In accordance with the government directive on scanners, they were not permitted to fly.


'Body scanning is a big change for customers and we are aware that privacy concerns are on our customers's minds, which is why we have put strict procedures in place to reassure them that their privacy will be protected.'


(more)

Source: Daily Mail (English)