Dancer hops in Tel Aviv to prove he's not a terrorist

ShakleeMom

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 2:04 pm

Dancer hops to it in Tel Aviv to prove he's with troupe, not terrorists

BY BILL HUTCHINSON
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, September 10th 2008, 1:41 AM

He had to do a jig to prove he was not planning jihad.

A member of the famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was forced to display his fleet-footed skills to convince Israeli airport security he was no Islamic terrorist.

New Yorker Abdur-Rahim Jackson said he was detained Sunday at the Ben-Gurion airport in Tel Aviv because security officials were suspicious of his Muslim first name.

Jackson, 31, who is African-American, said he was grilled about his name and asked twice to dance before he was allowed to enter the country.

"It was really an embarrassing and unpleasant position to be in," Jackson said Tuesday. "To be greeted like this because of my name, it took me back a little bit."

The Manhattan-based Alvin Ailey dance troupe is in Tel Aviv to kick off a six-nation tour to celebrate its 50th anniversary season.

Jackson, a graduate of Juilliard and an eight-year veteran of the elite 30-member multicultural dance ensemble, said airport security guards separated him from the group as soon as they touched down in Tel Aviv.

"We passed the security check, and then I was approached and asked to step aside," Jackson recalled.

He said he was escorted to a separate waiting area where security guards questioned him for an hour about his first name.

"I explained to them that my father converted to Islam and gave me this name," Jackson told Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. "They repeatedly asked me what my father's name is, what my mother's name is and why they gave me this name."

Attempting to prove he is a professional dancer, Jackson handed them an Alvin Ailey brochure featuring photos of him performing.

"They saw the pictures and then one of them asked me to dance for him," Jackson said. "I was embarrassed, but I was afraid to do something wrong that may cause me to look suspicious."

Minutes after dancing for one security guard, Jackson was requested to repeat the impromptu performance for a female security guard.

"I demonstrated a few dance moves and after another clarification of the details, they released me and allowed me to join the rest of the troupe," Jackson said.

Jackson - engaged to fellow Alvin Ailey dancer Olivia Bowman, who is part Jewish - said he was not raised a Muslim.

He said he did not file a complaint, explaining, "We're only here to bring positive light to our lives and the people here."

Jackson and the Alvin Ailey group performed last night at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.

Israeli President Shimon Peres and Tel Aviv Mayor Ronald Huldai were to attend the show.

"The incident happened two days ago. Since that time we've received a warm welcome from the people of Israel," Alvin Ailey artistic director Judith Jamison said last night.

"Tonight we had an incredible opening night to launch Ailey's 50th Anniversary International Tour. As it's Israel's 60th Anniversary, we are happy to be celebrating these landmark events together."

Security officials at Ben-Gurion airport refused to issue an apology.

The Israel Airports Authority said, "The details of the incident are unknown to us, and no corroboration was found in the investigation we conducted."

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_......html

yo'ma

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 2:14 pm

I don't think an apology is necessary. In the states, they are not allowed to profile Rolling Eyes

, but in Israel it's the norm, I think, isn't it? They did everything on the side, didn't humiliate him publicly.

ShakleeMom

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 2:15 pm

I say, go for it! They pulled over my dh because of his beard… looked like Osama Bin Laden I guess? I am totally for racial profiling, it’s the only way. The Israeli’s have got it right!

Tamiri

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 2:22 pm

What's the big deal? They pull over nice white Jewish boys wearing kippot too. And women of all colors. And there are gazillions of people with Arab names entering the country daily.

How do you spell B-A-L-O-N-E-Y?

ShakleeMom

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 2:23 pm

B'ruchim habaim L'eretz Yisrael

Fox

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 2:30 pm

I was really impressed that the dancer didn't file a complaint or even get very upset about it. In the version I read, he mentioned that a similar thing had happened a few years ago in another country. He said, "Maybe I should get used to dancing in airports."

Of course, we're assuming that the security people know enough about dance to judge whether he's truly a professional dancer or simply a fleet-footed terrorist.

Clarissa

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 2:43 pm

I think the guy was a great sport about what happened.

Tamiri

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 2:46 pm

How do you know what happened? Next you'll tell me that you believe Pravda too.

shosh

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 2:48 pm

Only thing is that if I really wanted to smuggle a terrorist into this country from the US, I'd either dress him up as a chareidi or as a white Christian called Fred Smith. Wouldn't it be rather conspicuous to send him as an obvious Arab? Obviously I could be wrong (and usually am), but that was just a thought that crossed my mind.

ora_43

Wed, Sep 10 2008, 4:46 pm

shosh wrote:

It's not so easy to change your name from "Muhammed Al-Barghouti" to "Fred Smith" on official documentation.

BTW pretty much any non-Jewish name qualifies you for the "random" more intense search at El Al. I went through the more intense search once or twice before marrying and losing my WASP-ish last name. I don't mind at all though, racial profiling seems to be pretty effective.