Is the U.S under a terrorist threat?

Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab is the alleged terrorist behind the failed attempt to bomb a passenger jet over Detroit on Christmas Day. Photo: EPA

Barack Obama says his highest priority for 2010 is to keep the American people safe.

“We increased screening and security of air travel to keep our country safe in the wake of the attempted terrorist attack Christmas Day,” said Obama during a speech in Hawaii on December 26.

Airports and airlines around the world are now implementing tighter security measures on all US-bound flights after a Nigerian man attempted to ignite a bomb on a Detroit bound plane.

More and more U.S policymakers are requesting stricter screening of passengers and baggage after the attempted booming by Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian man. For instance, Air Canada is restricting passengers to their seats for the final hour of their flight.

Airports Security (Photo taken by the AP)

Mr Abdulmutallab is facing a criminal charge for the attempt to destroy an aircraft, and with placing a destructive device on the aircraft.

According to witnesses, Mr Abdulmutallab had a device attached to his body that contained PETN, also known as Pentaerythritol, a dangerous explosive.

Mr Abdulmutallab, who claimed to have received bomb-making instructions from al Qa’eda in Yemen, was believed to have flown from Lagos to Amsterdam on a KLM flight and then boarded Northwest Airlines Flight 253 for Detroit on Christmas Day.

Security checks failed to detect that he had a mix of explosive powders strapped to one leg. As the Airbus 330 came in to land at Detroit, he attempted to ignite the device with a syringe.

Dr. Mohammad Tawhil is a political science professor at the University of Al-Housn in Abu Dhabi. He said the U.S is not under any terrorist threat.

“The U.S is one of the most powerful countries in the world, and a threat like that will never make the U.S weaker, no, it will make it grow even stronger,” said Tawhil.

Northwest Flight 253 (Photo taken by the AP)

Syed Jafry, a passenger aboard the flight, told CNN that one traveler in particular tackled the man.

“He took care of that suspect. He handled him pretty good,” Jafry said.

“There was a little bit, obviously, of a struggle. And I think he took it under control.”

Dr. Tawhil said every single person, a Muslim, a Christian or a Jew, needs to help diminish the appeal of those who advocate violence.

“I think after 9/11 the level of hostility and suspicion of terrorists increased astronomically and so just the opportunities and possibilities of tension between the US and other countries like Afghanistan and some countries in the Middle East became much greater.”

Airlines companies in the U.S have increased the number of security guards and are also checking all hand luggage.

Reema Haroon, who recently came back to Canada  from New York, said passengers were asked to be seated one hour before landing in the U.S.

“It was crazy at the airport and inside the plane, you could really feel the tension in the air,” she said.

Haroon said security guards at the airport have searched most of her baggage for explosive.

“I was mad, it is hard when you feel that you are under suspicion and you know that you don’t have anything to hide,” she said.

However, at Dubai International Airport, travelers must pass through a metal detector but are not necessarily body searched, said Deema Iseid in a phone interview who recently flew from Dubai to Jordan.

The new x-ray machine that is used now at  U.S  airports and soon coming to Canadian airports knows who you are.

It strips you from your clothes without removing them.

Dr. Mohammad Qaffaf, General Physician.

It is now raising many health questions among passengers, especially pregnant women.

“In all X-ray exposures the cells that are highly active and growing are the most to be affected, which are mainly the fetus in the womb in a pregnant woman and they are more affected in the first half of the pregnancy,” said Dr Mohammad Qaffaf , a General Physician in North Cumbria University Hospital in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Qaffaf said passengers shouldn’t have to worry, as the dose is so low it is unlikely to cause harm.

However, finding an alternative to any exposure to radiation would help prevent any long term health problems, said Dr Qaffaf.

Giving up liquids, shoes, and nail clippers isn’t a problem for most travelers as long as they reach home safely.

“I am surrounded by my family and friends and that’s what matters at the end, “said Haroon.

Short URL: http://www.newbrunswickbeacon.ca/?p=3737

Posted by Ayat Abu Hantash on Jan 1, 2010. Filed under News, This Week's Edition. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.