Thrown off plane for wrong name

Pete Bainbridge

June 26, 2009

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Muhammed Vakaas Khan

A MUSLIM man claims US embassy officials have prevented him from entering the States because of his name - echoing problems his cousin had three years ago.

Muhammed Vakaas Khan, 26, was escorted off a plane by security guards just minutes before take off after his paperwork was rejected.

Muhammed, a martial arts expert, has now missed out on a £1,000 dream holiday training with his martial arts hero Randy Couture in Las Vegas.

He'd been training for the trip for months and will now have to save up again and see if he is accepted next year.

The M.E.N. reported in 2006 how Muhammed's cousin Umar, whose full name is Mohammed Umar Haleem Khan, ran into visa problems before working in Pennsylvania.

Umar was charged an extra £50 to run checks on the names Mohammed and Khan, due to their possible links to terrorism.

Now Muhammed, who lives in Didsbury, believes he was kept out of the United States purely because of his name and religion.

He filled out his Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) - which must be completed by all British citizens flying to the US - the day before boarding the plane.

Muhammed, of Parrs Wood Road, says he has no criminal record or reason to be rejected, and 'just presumed' officials would give him the green light.

He boarded the plane at Manchester Airport, but minutes before take-off, security guards approached him in his seat and escorted him off the flight.

Embarrassing

Muhammed, who works as a doorman around Manchester, said: "It was really embarrassing. I didn't see any other coloured people on the plane.

"People were looking around thinking `Why is he getting off the plane?', which made me feel really uncomfortable. The steward didn't take me to one side and tell me what was going on. They took me to the doorway and told me in front of everyone.

"I don't have a criminal record or reason to be rejected from flying to the US. No one will give me a straight answer why I've been turned down. To be honest, I really think it's down to my name and religion.

"I can't believe after the trouble my cousin had, this has happened to me. It's unbelievable."

A spokesman for the US Embassy in London said he could not comment on individual cases but added: "There are a host of reasons why someone may be rejected from the ESTA.

"We always advise people to fill out the ESTA well in advance of travel.

"I can say we do not reject people on grounds of religion or race. You would not be rejected for being Muslim."

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john davis (26/06/2009 at 08:56)

Tough, get your name correct as it should appear on your birth certificate and passport, listen you do not get refused entry into the US unless you are a threat, simple as that. Yo always play the silly oh its my name and religion card, why dont you actually wake up and realise in the US they are switched on unlike here in the UK where you can pull the wool over the eyes of the Authorities.Why didn't he get the ESTA test done in advance, answer because he knew it would throw something up.When he used the term you didn't see any other coloured people on the plane , he must have been flying alone then because you are coloured if you are white, yellow, pink, blue or black, the word coloured isn't there solely for use by black people.

Bejjy ex Salford now Malta, Malta (26/06/2009 at 09:28)

As much as Mr Khan is trying to make it out to be, this is nothing to do with race, relgion or colour. I would advise Mr Khan to fill out the ESTA in advance and to get the "green light" before again attempting to travel to the USA. That way it would save him time, money and embarassment.

Ewan Oosami, Halifax (26/06/2009 at 10:34)

Excellent post by John Davis

AJ, South Manchester (26/06/2009 at 10:34)

Yeah, I went to the US twice this year and completed the online Visa Weaver form well in advance (around 2 weeks) I'm sure it says on the website that you have to complete it at least 3 working days before - so the day before is a bit rushed!! To be blunt you obviously planned this trip, it cost a fair bit, and you were training for the sport - why did you leave the form to the day before boarding???? you didn't know about it or did you do it intentionally?

citycentre, manchester (26/06/2009 at 10:47)

john davis: where does it say there was any error in copmpleting the form, with names or otherwise?
"listen you do not get refused entry into the US unless you are a threat, simple as that" can you substantiate that statement? i believe lilly allen was once denied entry to the us, what threat does she pose?

the statement "was charged an extra £50 to run checks on the names Mohammed and Khan, due to their possible links to terrorism." would seem to indicate that religion plays some role in the assesment process?

Barney Gumball LLB Hons (26/06/2009 at 11:42)

I'm always warmly welcomed in the States...

That bit of fluff, under the sofa (26/06/2009 at 11:55)

Don't go to America seems to be the way forward. Horrible place. Full of loud-mouthed know-alls

That bit of fluff, under the sofa (26/06/2009 at 12:26)

You may be completely innocent but you must see why non-muslims have a problem. For instance, what about the Islamic court in Somalia that cut off a hand and foot from each of four men convicted of stealing phones and guns. It isn't civilised behaviour and, regardless of how pleasant the vast majority of muslims are, these are the facts that stick in peoples' minds.

Chris P. Duck (26/06/2009 at 13:49)

That Bit Of Fluff - Kind of ironic how you are accusing people of being know alls, whilst at the same time you are generalizing about an entire country.

Pippa, Manchester (26/06/2009 at 14:17)

Mr Khan had obviously planned this trip well in advance. He knew about the ESTA. He knew that his cousin had had problems. Unfortunately the names Mohammaed and Khan ( and I'm sure other common Muslim names) are linked to terrorism, as were many Irish surnames at the height of the troubles. So, knowing all this, and I quote 'just presumed' that he would be given the green light and didn't follow the advice to fill in the ESTA well in advance of travel. Sorry Mr Khan, but I don't really have much sympathy - and as for pulling the racist card out of the bag - behave.

Pippa, Manchester (26/06/2009 at 16:37)

CityCentre - Lily Allen was refused entry to the USA because of a caution she was issued with in London, March 2007 - she was arrested and cautioned for the assault of a photographer.

citycentre, manchester (26/06/2009 at 17:39)

Pippa,

thanks, though i checked that, she hardly fits with the statement " listen you do not get refused entry into the US unless you are a threat, simple as that" though, at least in my opinion.

it seems to me that people are often here saying that muslims need to integrate and join mainstream soceity, which is waht this man appears to be doing; then something go's a bit wrong and he gets told, well you're a muslim, what do you expect, its all down to your "muslim brothers",although that post appears to have been removed since this morning, and odd coments about things happening in somalia, though what link that has to him i cant imagine.
its hardly going to convince other muslims to try and join in the UK, if that is the response they are likely to recieve.

i agree he should have completed the paperwork a bit sooner though

Esso Blue. G. Barry, Roque Santa Cruz.It's a Done Deal. Next, Manchester (26/06/2009 at 17:50)

At least they didn't throw him off after it took off

Andanotherthing, Mcr (26/06/2009 at 19:05)

Who would travel to America these days, there is far to much bureaucracy to get through what ever your name. Maybe other countries should make it at tough for them to travel, then we may get somewhere.

red one (26/06/2009 at 21:25)

The US have a very strict security system and you must do everything by the book. They are also very concerned about British Muslims. They believe Britain is a breeding ground for terrorists and think the UK government is weak and have no effective boarder controls, which allows anybody in to the country.
This was expressed to by a visitor from the US who I met recently.

Pippa, Manchester (26/06/2009 at 21:52)

City Centre

I agree that some of these comments are coming in off the left field and really have no relevance to the story. Still, perhaps if he had done his paperwork well in advance, this situation could have been avoided. As I have never been refused entry to a country I don't know, but would assume that if you are refused entry you are given a reason as to why. This article doesn't divulge that reason, only alleges. I don't think that Mr Khan has done himself any favours going to the press.

sugar n spice, manchester (27/06/2009 at 18:15)

america seem to have the right idea checking up on who comes into their country we would not go wrong taking a leaf out of their book

Alan Banks (27/06/2009 at 19:05)

It is ironic that a muslim stopped purely because his name is a common name with terrorist. Yet who in U.S immigration stops all the white brits with criminal records who have lied to U.S immigration over the years I shudder how many that could be. It is ironic for that every one muslim who MIGHT pose a risk of terrorism there are probably countless white brits who have or would lie to U.S immigration. Who clamps down on all these white english yobs getting into America??

debholt, Manchester (28/06/2009 at 15:47)

"The US have a very strict security system and you must do everything by the book. They are also very concerned about British Muslims. They believe Britain is a breeding ground for terrorists and think the UK government is weak and have no effective boarder controls, which allows anybody in to the country. This was expressed to by a visitor from the US who I met recently." red one

I really don't understand the attitude of Americans about this. After all, weren't they the ones busy funding the IRA while they were busy bombing Britain?

andy waytomakeacomment, Greater Manchester (28/06/2009 at 18:41)

"I really don't understand the attitude of Americans about this. After all, weren't they the ones busy funding the IRA while they were busy bombing Britain?" debholt, Manchester, 28/06/2009 at 15:47

In short, the answer to that question is "No".

Your proposition is akin to the suggestion that British consumption of American goods and services leads to greater exploitation of countries around the globe by successive US administrations.

Tezza, Tyldesley (29/06/2009 at 10:01)

"I can't believe after the trouble my cousin had, this has happened to me. It's unbelievable."

Well he’s more of a fool than he looks, if his cousin had this same problem then he should have filled in his paperwork as soon as possible and not just they day before.

"People were looking around thinking `Why is he getting off the plane?'

So he’s a mind reader as well as a doorman is he?

Tezza, Tyldesley (29/06/2009 at 10:08)

Pippa, Manchester

Lily Allen should be refused entry back into this country for crimes against music

That bit of fluff, under the sofa (29/06/2009 at 10:13)

Ironic that the USA is so afraid of terrorist, having allowed it's so-called Irish population to supply most of the IRA's funding for years. Clean your own house I say.

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