- Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is facing criticism after calling on airports to profile Muslim men traveling alone.
- In an interview with The Times, O’Leary said that “males of Muslim persuasion” who travel alone are more likely to be “bombers” and pose a greater risk to airlines than other passengers.
- O’Leary was criticized by hate crime monitoring groups and a Labor MP who accused him of fueling racism and Islamophobia.
- Ryanair told Sky News that O’Leary’s statements were “simply inaccurate”.
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The CEO of one of the largest airlines in the world is facing criticism after saying that Muslim men should be profiled at airports.
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary, 58, commented during an interview with the Times, saying that “males of Muslim persuasion” who travel alone are more likely to be “bombers” and pose a risk higher for airlines than other passengers.
He went on to say that profiling Muslim families doesn’t have to be as rigorous because “the possibilities.” [they] they will blow up everything is zero. “
“You can’t say things because it’s racism,” he told Ryanair’s Times O’Leary since 1994. “Thirty years ago, it was the Irish. If that’s where the threat comes from, manage the threat.”
O’Leary, one of the wealthiest men in Ireland, faced criticism from hate crime monitoring groups and Labor MP Khalid Mahmood, who accused the chief executive of the airline Islamophobia in a comment to Sky News .
The Muslim Council of Great Britain told the Guardian: “This is the very definition of Islamophobia. Institutional discrimination against Muslims is well established: whether it is the ability to find a job, buy an apartment or even get auto insurance The challenges of flying while Muslims are well documented around the world.
Ryanair told Sky News that O’Leary’s statements were “simply inaccurate”.
“Michael was only asking for more effective airport security checks that would eliminate many of the unnecessary airport security queues for all passengers today,” said a spokesman.
O’Leary’s interview with the Times included a series of disparaging remarks, including the need for wheelchair facilities on each floor of a “total and nonsense” Dublin office building. He made fun of the rights of transsexuals and the need for gender-neutral bathrooms; and called obese passengers “monsters” who should consider buying two seats.