I’m suing tour firm says Muslim arrested for reading Syrian art book on flight

A MUSLIM woman who was arrested by counter-terrorism police for reading a Syrian art book on a plane is taking legal action against her travel company.

Faizah Shaheen, 28, was reported to police by Thomson Airways crew after reading Syria Speaks: Art And Culture From The Frontline while travelling to Turkey for her honeymoon last August.

The mental health worker, pictured, was marched away by police on her return to Doncaster airport in South Yorkshire two weeks later. Mrs Shaheen, from Leeds, was told by officers that a cabin crew member had said she was reading a Syrian phrase book – even though no such language exists. She was questioned for 30 minutes under the Terrorism Act.

The book is an award-winning collection of literature, photos, songs and cartoons by Syrian artists and writers.

Mrs Shaheen has demanded an apology but says Thomson has ignored her requests. She is now taking legal action to obtain a court declaration to say she was discriminated against under the Equality Act. She said: ‘It’s just completely stupid really because it was clearly an art book, written in English.

‘It just shows a complete lack of education and ignorance about the region.’

Thomson Airlines said it had written to her explaining that crew have regular security training and are encouraged to share information with authorities.

A spokesman said: ‘We’re really sorry if Ms Shaheen remains unhappy with how she feels she was treated.’