The story of a Muslim man being asked to get off a National Express coach in Bristol, England, has led to allegations of Islamophobia and even calls to boycott the company. It is alleged that the man was asked to leave the bus after passengers felt uncomfortable by his presence, however the company denies these claims.
University of Bristol student Rebekah Makinde told the Bristol Post the man was clearly kicked off because of his religion, describing how “[a]s soon as he got on the coach, the women at the front were just silent and staring at him. They were making their feelings very obvious.”
The student added that when the Muslim man sat down, another women went to speak to the driver and then another member of staff came over and asked him to get off. He left without protesting, she claims.
National Express released a statement denying the claims, leaving the entire incident open to speculation.
“We categorically deny an incident in which a passenger was asked to leave one of our coaches was in any way Islamophobic.”
They claim that the man’s luggage “became an issue” for other passengers, and that he was not cooperative when asked to move the excess luggage into the hold. They also added that he was abusive to staff members.
“Our staff, who often have to make difficult decisions at short notice, remained professional throughout and are extremely upset at these serious allegations which are both unfounded and untrue.”
However Makinde does not believe luggage had anything to do with it.
"I heard the entire exchange between the woman and the driver and I know luggage was not the reason he was asked to leave," she said.
