Are British Air Carriers Caving to Radical Islam?

Pulling imams off of planes for displaying suspicious behavior - such as requesting seat-belt extenders, spewing anti-American rhetoric, and chanting Allah loudly in an American airline terminal - is a rational response.

Prohibiting British airline employees from traveling with a Bible or wearing a cross on a necklace is far from rational. Unfortunately, this is the point at which we find ourselves. And why has British Airways (also see this) and British Midland taken these steps?

In the case of British Airways, the cross violates uniform codes. You can see from the picture of the BA employee below how this could be considered offensive or threatening. Maybe not.

For Midland, the stewardess in question was known for always traveling with her Bible. Not wanting to upset Saudi Arabia, Midland instead adopts the Islamic country's discriminatory policies.

The Foreign Office website informs travellers to Saudi Arabia: "The importation and use of narcotics, alcohol, pork products and religious books, apart from the Koran, and artifacts are forbidden."

A spokesman said last night that the Saudi authorities would automatically confiscate a Bible from anybody trying to bring one into the country and it would not be returned.

A spokesman for Christian Solidarity Worldwide said: "It is worrying that a British company should be instructing its staff to conform to practices which are in violation of international standards on religious freedom.

"The Saudi government prohibits the public practice of other religions and the possession of non-Islamic religious objects has often led to arrests."

I guess the Brits figure - If you can't beat 'em, you might as well join 'em.

(hat tip Michelle Malkin)