Muslim Advocates Issues Advisory for Hajj & Other Overseas Travelers

Greetings of peace, Assalaamu Alaikum,

With this year's hajj season and end of year travel fast approaching, Muslim Advocates would like to remind all Muslim Americans -- and hajj (religious pilgrimage) and other overseas travelers, in particular -- about issues you may encounter when traveling abroad. Searches and interrogations by Customs & Border Protection ("CBP") officials are possible upon your return to the U.S., especially to the extent your travel plans include visits to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or other Muslim countries.

As you prepare for your trip, follow these steps:

(1) View our 15-minute training video - which is available online in five languages (English, Arabic, Farsi, Somali and Urdu): Got Rights? Protecting Yourself and Your Family at Home and at the Airport. It will help you learn about common experiences at the airport, as well as your rights and how to assert them.
(2) Download and print our 1-page reference guide to carry with you during your travels.
(3) Pack your Zamzam water in your checked baggage: please note that federal authorities require all packages containing over 3 oz. of liquids to be placed in checked baggage. This requirement includes Zamzam water.
(4) Finally, when you return to the U.S., please share with us any stories of stops, searches or interrogations that you encounter at the airport.

Muslim Advocates has received a number of reports of law-abiding Americans being subjected to a search, and sometimes even download of data, of their laptops, cell phones, digital cameras and other electronic devices. Some have even been asked about their religious practices ("which mosque do you attend?" "how often do you pray?") and political beliefs ("what do you think of President Bush?"). We support federal legislation to protect innocent travelers from overly broad searches, The Travelers' Privacy Protection Act (S. 3612/H.R. 7118).

But we need your help to ensure its passage.

Do your part. Stand up for your rights. Send us your story.

You can help defend civil rights simply by sharing your experience with us, either online or on a form that you can mail or fax to us.
Please share this advisory with your friends and colleagues who are preparing for hajj or other overseas travel.

Hajj mabroor,
Muslim Advocates