Racial profiling at Brussels Airport?

I TRAVEL regularly between
Brussels and South Africa
to see my daughter, who
emigrated to South Africa over
10 years ago. But my latest
trip to South Africa two weeks
ago made me feel more than
a little uncomfortable.
The tragic events (bombings
at Brussels Airport and
Maelbeek metro station)
that occurred on March 22
were at the top of my mind
when travelling to the airport.
My son works in a building
adjacent to the airport so,
when the news of the terrorist
attack broke, fear gripped
me. Fortunately, he was not
harmed in the attacks. Still,
arriving at the airport where
so many people’s lives were
taken, was confrontational to
say the least.
Armed police and rigorous
security measures at the
airport remind all travellers
that terrorism has changed
our lives and our holiday
experiences forever. Of
course, I’m truly grateful for
the security, but there was
something that made me feel
highly uncomfortable.
Today, travellers are asked
to follow one organised queue
into the airport. So far, so
good. However, police officers
asked all the people of
colour and all those wearing
religious Muslim clothing to
enter a tent that was set up
next to the airport building.
I’m not sure what happened
in the tent, but people
emerging from the other side
were adjusting their clothing
and putting on shoes. It
seems they were asked to
undergo additional security
screening.
I admire the men who
put their lives on the line to
keep us safe, however the
blatant racial profiling at the
airport made me feel highly
uncomfortable and evoked
strong feelings of injustice.
It seemed to convey the
horrible message that ‘all
Muslim people are potential
terrorists’. Surely there must
be a better way to ensure the
safety of all people?
Brussels Airport responded
to TNW saying: “Like every
airport in the world, we have
general security checks.”
They also pointed out that
security measures installed
after the March 22 attacks
were not the responsibility
of Brussels Airport Company
but of the Federal Police of
Belgium. The Federal Police
had not responded to TNW’s
questions at time of going
to print