Every day I travel to work by train and Thursday (last week) was no different at all, but as I got off the train and began walking through the station I noticed a policeman standing directly in front of me, he was looking at me right in the eye. As I passed, trying to avoid him, he stuck out his hand and stopped me.” Good morning Sir?” he said “good morning” I replied. He said “I am stopping you today Sir, under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act of 2001; you’re not in trouble, so don’t worry, I just need to check in your bag.”

I knew I had nothing to hide but I have never been stopped and searched before in such a public place (airports aside) and to be honest, it was very embarrassing for me. Hundreds of people were filing past and they all seemed very interested in the fact that a Muslim man with a bag is being pulled aside by a policeman and searched in front of them.

Like I said, I knew I had nothing to hide but I did feel strangely guilty…guilty travelling whilst Muslim. The policeman said to me that I had not been pulled over because I have a beard or because I was wearing a topi, which immediately drew a smile over my face because I know that Mr John Smith, the 40 year old accountant who also carries a bag with him, is very unlikely to be stopped…in fact, people like Mr. John Smith will never be stopped.

As the policeman went through my bag I was being questioned by a second policeman who was writing information down about me. After the search (finding nothing save another topi, The Independent and a book) the second policeman issued me with a ticket and the first policeman thanked me for being so cooperative and shook my hand.

After the disastrous day of 7/7, I understand the need to tighten security but I can’t help but think that it is just Muslims being pulled over and searched, I don’t know what the demographic statistics are for of those stopped and searched under this Anti-Terrorism Act but what I do know is that Muslims wherever they go have the eye of suspicion continually thrown upon them.

My other gripe is that I was stopped and search in such a public place and in front of everyone – it was a very embarrassing moment and I can imagine other people reacting in a rather more objectionable way.

I have got very accustomed to people looking at me with strange eyes over the years wherever I go because I do look like a Muslim, and I’m white but, in most cases I don’t mind that much because most of the time it is innocent curiosity and it makes them think about Islam, some even approach me to ask questions. Since 7/7, however, I have noticed a more sinister and judgmental look from the public and I have even caught people whispering to each other, nudging their friend to get their attention, frowning at me and even blatant and aggressive staring.

An atmosphere of fear has been created; all Muslims are looked upon with suspicion, stopped and searched at will, humiliated in public and thought of as threat to the whole society. It is not a very nice time for us at the moment – but I fear that things will get worse before they will get better.

tag: islam, terrorism act, terrorism, muslim, police, searched, war, law

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