I was detained by the police after being reported for reading a book on a plane – one year on, I still have not received any response from the airline about what happened, let alone an apology. Help me take Thomson Airways to Court to acknowledge what they did to me was unacceptable.

On 25 July 2016, I arrived in Doncaster airport after my honeymoon in Turkey but was met by police who detained me under the Terrorism Act. It emerged that a Thomson Airways cabin-crew member had reported me on my outbound flight two weeks earlier, for reading the book Syria Speaks: Art and Culture from the Frontline.

I was reported to the police as some sort of security threat – for reading a book. If a member of staff had just talked to me directly, this whole humiliating episode could have been avoided.

I have written to the airline myself to ask for an apology and so have my lawyers. Unfortunately, the airline has simply ignored my correspondence. Despite telling my lawyer back in January that they were holding an internal review, we’ve heard nothing. My lawyer has chased them on many occasions and they simply won’t respond.

All I want is an apology. Even this, however, seems beyond the airline. At this point, I have been left with no option but to go to Court.

Background

Syria Speaks is a collection of essays and writings by more than 50 artists on “challenging the culture of violence” in the country. The freedom of expression charity English PEN supported the book’s publication with a grant towards promotion of the title and has been instrumental in supporting my case. The Director of English PEN, Jo Glanville, says:

“Not only does Thomson Airways owe Faizah Shaheen a long overdue apology, they need to review their procedures urgently. If crew members continue to believe that reading or possessing a book can be evidence of suspicious or criminal behaviour, then none of us can travel safely and a fundamental freedom will continue to be eroded.”

Thomson Airways made a gross error of judgment in reporting a passenger for reading a book. In the lack of any explanation or response from the airline, I assume that the cabin crew member made an unfortunate assumption as a result of my ethnicity.

I appreciate the need for vigilance and security. Indeed, I have worked to prevent radicalisation amongst young people in the UK and know how important it is to recognise genuine concerns and threats. However, a line must be drawn: the simple act of openly reading a book about culture and art should never be considered a security threat. I do not believe that the airline would have treated me in this way had I been of a different ethnicity.

What I want

This was a humiliating experience for me, tarnishing my honeymoon. I simply want an apology from Thomson Airways as recognition of their error and to ensure that it never happens again. Instead, Thomson Airways has failed to address my complaint.

I am surprised that they have taken such an attitude when all I have asked for is an apology.

This attitude has however left me with no option but to seek a declaration from the Court under the Equality Act, recognising that I have been the victim of discrimination.

I have instructed Ravi Naik from ITN Solicitors to represent me. He has agreed to act on a contingency basis. I therefore need funds to support me with my Court fees and to protect me against Thomson Airways’ costs should the Court find against me.

Without your support, I will not be able to take Thomson Airways to Court to force them to acknowledge their error. Please do not let Thomson Airways get away with this.

This case is important to me as I feel that I speak on behalf of others who have been victims of discrimination. We are living in a society where racial, religious discrimination and hate crimes are on the increase. This needs to be challenged and so I would appreciate your support in fighting this cause.

This case is not just about me, but about the British public’s freedom to read without fear or restraint.

Thank you for your support.

Faizah Shaheen