A local Islamic leader said he was disturbed by today's attempted terrorist attack in Detroit and called for Muslims to work with law enforcement to fight terrorism.
"We want to do everything we can to make sure this doesn't happen," said Victor Begg, of Bloomfield Hills, head of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan. "We want to be on the front lines to help law enforcement." Begg added that the Muslim community should partner with law enforcement "to stop these maniacs -- who in the name of religion -- pursue these political goals." Begg said that he and family members have taken Northwest flights from Amsterdam to Detroit. "We could have been on that flight," Begg said. "These guys kill indiscriminately." Begg and the council helped organize an event today where Muslims and Jews worked together to help the needy in metro Detroit on Christmas Day. "It's really depressing," Begg said of the incident today on the plane. "It sets back all the work we do."
A terrorist attack in Detroit is making national headlines. The attack was thwarted before it turned in to the ultimate tragedy. A Nigerian native with ties to Al Qaida tried to ignite an incendiary device, and at least one passenger aboard the flight jumped on him to subdue him.
There were 278 passengers and 11 crew members aboard Delta Airlines flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit. Had the attack happened as planned, this would have been a very tragic Christmas.
The suspect was admitted to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. He is being treated for burns experienced when he tried to light the device.
The suspect was traveling on a one-way ticket with no return - even though he was not a US native. Travelers can expect increased security measures after the Christmas Day attack.
Recently, a California man was arrested at the Nashville International Airport for threatening to blow up a plane. He was charged and is going to be in jail until New Years day. Expect airports and airlines to take threats - even those that aren't serious and are made out of anger - very seriously.
Also allow yourself extra time if you are traveling this holiday season. With the terrorist attack in the back of everyone's mind, you can be sure that security checkpoints will be even more vigilant in screening passengers.
