A British Muslim family of 11 headed to Disneyland was barred from boarding a flight into the U.S. by immigration officials at Gatwick airport in England, prompting Prime Minister David Cameron to investigate the matter.
Mohammad Tariq Mahmood, who was travelling with his brother and nine of their children, alleges that the officials gave no explanation despite having already obtained clearance for the flight, according to The Times Of India.
"We were the only family that was of Asian, Muslim, sort of appearance, and it seemed a little bit embarrassing that only we were taken out (of the line to board)," he said.
To add insult to injury, not only were they forced to return everything they purchased at the airports shops before being escorted out the airport, but the airport also informed them that they wouldn't be refunded the $13,340 cost of their flights, according to The Guardian.
"I have never been more embarrassed in my life. I work here, I have a business here. But we were alienated," he said.
Ajmal Masroor, a London-based imam and broadcaster, also recounts being prevented from boarding a U.S.-bound plane on December 17, after a his business visa was "revoked."
"I asked him why repeatedly and he said 'You must have done something wrong,' without any explanation," Masroor said, noting he believes Muslims are being singled out by U.S. officials.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman argued that such instances have nothing to with an international traveler's religion, faith or spiritual beliefs. The spokesman notes that people can be denied entry for a plethora of reasons which include health-related issues, prior criminal convictions and security concerns, according to the Associated Press.
News of these incidents come as Donald Trump declared that non-naturalized Muslims should be temporarily barred from entering the U.S. Though its unlikely that his declaration and these incidents are related.
In the meantime, British Prime Minister David Cameron is investigating the incident and is expected to "respond in due course."
