TSA Reminder: Muslims May Be Participating In Religious Practice In Airports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wants to remind passengers not to panic if they see Muslims observing Ramadan while traveling, according to the National Journal.

The Muslim holiday of Ramadan started on Monday evening, and the TSA released an official statement for travelers and security staff. They warned them that for the next month, there might be Muslims participating in religious practices and meditations.

The statement addressed many common practices Muslims participate in to avoid concern from the traveling public.

"TSA would also like to inform the traveling public that they may notice passengers who are observing Ramadan engaging in the following activities at the airports: passengers observing Ramadan will abstain from any food, water, smoking or vices of any kind, passengers observing Ramadan may be more likely to engage in prayer at airports or on airplanes while traveling than at other times during the year," reads the official statement. "Before prayer, Muslims go through ablution, i.e., a cleansing or washing of certain areas of the body that is usually done in private if possible, but may be observed in airport restrooms."

Muslims fast from dawn until sunset during Ramadan, which will run until the evening of August 7, when it will be marked by Eid al-Fitr.

"Our workforce is aware of the unique items carried by individuals and religious practices individuals may engage in while traveling," the statement continued. "This may include reading of religious text of participating in prayer ritual.

"Observant travelers may be wearing a head covering, prayer shawl, and phylacteries - in Hebrew, kippah, tallit, and tefillin," the statement read. "Passengers traveling with religious items, including handmade matzoh, may request a hand inspection by the TSA of the items at the security checkpoint."

The TSA doesn't single out Muslims, however, also addressing the Jewish holiday of Passover, where they advise travelers to expect an increase in the volume of people traveling during those days.