Double Standards???

If you are a Muslim or your name resembles, even remotely, a Muslim one, and if you are planning to visit the United States, then you should expect to be asked some really sickening questions by US customs officers and brace yourself for a little humiliation and a lot of time wasted.



Post 9/11, Americans are afflicted by a hyper hysterical condition (yes, the exaggeration is well deserved!) called ‘Islamophobia’ that is only harming world peace and in particular, that country’s relationship with Muslims everywhere. This fear of Muslims has persistently translated into unwarranted actions against the Muslim community which followers of Islam see as an attack on the religion itself. Thus, many among them become extremists in order to stand up for their faith, the system of beliefs which has shaped nearly every moment of their lives.

There is a lot to be said about the saga of US-Muslim hostility that has unfolded particularly over the last eight years; but through this article, I wish to reflect on the prevailing US visa policies, with particular reference to recent denials of US visa to many Muslims from around the world and to the interrogation that they must undergo on arrival at all airports across United States.

One thing I do admire about United States is that their laws are the same for everyone. Not much importance is attached to an individual’s status or position, even if they are outsiders. Recently, some renowned Muslim celebrities were detained for questioning or were denied a visa. Shahrukh Khan, the famous Bollywood star from India with a fan following of several millions across the globe, was recently held up for nearly two hours at the airport in Newark, New Jersey for questioning. Apparently, his name popped up in the security watch list because of his last name ‘Khan’. This, according to me, is stereotyping the entire community as terrorists; something the United States claims to be totally against. In the normal course, there will be countless number of visitors to the US with last name ‘Khan’ or first name ‘Mohammad’. It is highly unjust to detain such people for their name or looks. The former president of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam, Arab intellectual Tariq Ramadan, and many more have been victims of such religious profiling.

Other incidents that gained media attention were the denial of visa to an Indian MP, Shahnawaz Hussain, who was visiting New York to attend a UN General Assembly programme; and to a group of Muslim journalists who were to visit US along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The visas were later approved in both cases; but not before kicking up enough dust to provoke intervention by the Indian government. Even American Muslims have not been spared this discrimination. Some of them have complained as well of being singled out at domestic airports in the US.

But looking at the entire policy, one may wonder whether this is only religious profiling or racial discrimination as well.



There is a provision called Visa Waiver Programme of the United States government, under which citizens from a few specific countries can visit the US for 90 days for tourism or business, without procuring a visa. This programme includes, among others, many European countries, including Germany which has the largest population of Muslims in Europe. Citizens of these countries can slip into United States virtually undetected. This is a serious loophole that can be easily exploited by terrorists to enter the US. If the country is really so serious about its security, then why is it not scrapping, or at least modifying, such policies? In fact, even after 9/11, the government has only increased the number of countries included under this programme of visa waiver.

There was a hope that after Barack Hussain Obama assumed office as the president, a positive step would be taken towards reducing this discrimination. But that hope is fading quickly. Though he has been addressing the Muslim world for establishing stronger ties and mutual understanding, his words have remained just that – mere words.

Will the Nobel Peace Prize be of any help? The future holds the answer….