As a Malaysian Muslim who travels very frequently to the United States, I am well aware of the security procedures conducted at any American airport. Never once have I been treated any differently from other travellers at security checks in the US.

Ask any American and they will tell you that they too are subject to random checks at their airports. In fact, former vice president Al Gore was also subject to it while en route to Virginia not too long ago.

Did he huff and puff about the incident? Absolutely not; instead he thanked the airport security for diligently carrying out their duties. The Sept 11 attacks have forced the American authorities to take every precaution to make air travel safer in the interest of the public to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself.

The American airport security personnel are there doing what is expected of them and all the whining about not getting preferential treatment just because one is "so and so," and the ridiculous tirade about Americans being anti-Muslim just because one has to take off shoes and belt is a bit overboard, don't you think?

Sounds to me that certain people are trying to gain political mileage out of the incident. I have always been treated with respect, and received a warm, friendly welcome from the US immigration and customs personnel every time I arrived in the United States.

I am not even a diplomat; so go figure. Just give your full cooperation when you are asked to step aside for security check; it will go a long way to earning respect and friends.