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Jewish Prayers On Board Plane Lead To Security Scare

By Howard M. Friedman

CNN reports that three Orthodox Jewish businessmen praying on an Alaska Airlines flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles on Sunday triggered a security alert. Passengers became alarmed when the three began praying out loud "in a language other than Spanish" shortly after takeoff.  Flight attendants said the men appeared to have something strapped under their clothing as well-- presumably tefellin which observant Jews wear during week day morning prayers. Flight attendants alerted the flight deck which in turn alerted security at LAX.  Airport police, the FBI and agents from Customs and Border Protection all met the men when the flight landed. After questioning and a search of their baggage the men-- all cooperative with authorities-- were cleared to go.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 15, 2011 (boomark / email).