Airport chief apologises for embarassing top cleric

chika ebuzor

June 7, 2015 12:36 PM

The picture went viral on social media in Thailand and the Airport officials were asked to apologise for embarrassing the leader of Thai Muslims.

Aziz Phitakkumpon, the Sheikh-ul Islam of Thailand sat calmly on the wheel chair, while his turban was being searched by an Airport security staff.

A picture taken by a bystander, that showed an Airport staff searching the turban of Aziz Phitakkumpon, the Sheikh-ul Islam of Thailand as he sat watching on a wheel chair, has sparked wide criticisms.

Sources say the picture went viral on social media in Thailand and the Airport officials were asked to apologise for embarrassing the leader of Thai Muslims.

Speaking on the incident, Prasan Sricharoen, an assistant to Aziz said the Sheikh has been subjected to such treatment at least four times in the month of May alone.

Adding that "After the incident, many Muslim brothers and sisters from the three southern border provinces and imams from Middle Eastern countries phoned us to ask what happened out of concern. But because we do not want the situation to escalate into protests, we explained to them that it was a misunderstanding. The Muslim brothers and sisters understood it, too."

Sheikh Azeez said he was not offended. He said the staff was just doing his job.

Swiftly, Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, president of Thailand’s Airport agency met with Azeez in his office to apologise for the incident, adding that the staff and the officials of Suvarnabhumi Airport, will learn from this incident.

Nitinai said "Operating officials may not understand everything [about religion].”

Adding that 'The Airport will gladly improve our workings in details about religion.'

chika ebuzor