Religious Group Upset By New Airport Hat Checks

[Amelia]

Religious Group Upset By New Airport Hat Checks

TSA Denies Religious, Racial Profiling

Aug 30, 2007

(CBS) SACRAMENTO, Calif. The TSA is now searching all head gear at airports and some in the Sikh community are worried it could lead to racial profiling, reports CBS station KOVR-TV in Sacramento.

It may be just a piece of cloth, but to Dr. Jasbir Kang and others, a turban is also a religious symbol.

"I love this country so much, I'm willing to give my life for the freedom. Because I'm here for freedom and don't want my freedom to be taken away," said Kang.

The doctor worries that could happen when he travels.

"I want to make sure that this rule is not abused, just to isolate people because of turbans," said Kang.

Some Sikhs say if they're asked to take it off, they won't.

"If they want me to do it in a private area, I'll do that. If they ask me to do it in public, I will not do that. And I will not fly," said Kang.

One man started a petition and resolution of congress asking to overturn it. The TSA issued the following statement in response saying:

"The TSA does not conduct ethnic or religious profiling and employs multiple checks and balances to ensure it does not happen. If the issue cannot be resolved through a pat-down search, the individual will be offered the opportunity to remove the head covering in a private screening area."

That is something the doctor says he might do.

"If you want to check a lady, if you suspect they have something under their bra, you want to do it with grace and respect and privacy," said Kang.

The TSA says people wearing turbans will be allowed to put the turban back on before exiting a private room.