Muslim man with three rucksacks thrown off coach because passengers felt 'uncomfortable'

A Muslim man who was kicked off a National Express coach after other passengers said he made them feel "uncomfortable" has been refunded his fare.

Muslim man thrown off a coach because he made other passengers feel 'uncomfortable'

University student Ibrahim Mohamed Ismail, 42, was asked to disembark moments after boarding the Bristol to London Victoria coach with three rucksacks.

According to one passenger, a group of women sitting at the front of the coach had been "making their feelings very obvious" and were "silent and staring at him."

They told the coach driver about their concerns - prompting the member of staff to walk over to Ibrahim, who is an Open University student, and ask him to leave.

Another passenger then thanked the women and told them they had also felt uncomfortable.

It's very important we realise Ibrahim is the victim in this incident and that National Express empathises with the situation

Afzal Shah, Easton councillor

Ibrahim Mohamed Ismail was kicked off the National Express bus to London Victoria

Following the December incident, Ibrahim, who is a practising Muslim, of Easton, Bristol, comdemned National Express for discriminating against him because of his religion.
But it was only after company bosses met with Easton councillor Afzal Shah and community leaders that they agreed to refund Ibrahim his full fare.
However, National Express is yet to offer Ibrahim a personal apology.
Mr Shah said: "We are going to try and arrange another meeting between Ibrahim and National Express.
"I did ask for them to make an apology for any distress caused to Ibrahim and they said they will look into it and respond at the next meeting.
"We also want them to investigate why this happened and how to make sure it doesn't happen again.
"We feel that National Express could have conducted themselves a lot better regarding this matter.
"It's very important we realise Ibrahim is the victim in this incident and that National Express empathises with the situation."
Ibrahim is without a permanent home and often travels with all of his belongings.
On the day of the incident, on December 3, he was carrying his printer and a laptop, which he uses for his studies at the Open University, where he learns Chinese.

National Express has offered a full apology

When he refused to put the printer in the hold, he was asked to leave the coach.
The bus company said the case had nothing to do with discrimination, but because he did not want to put his device in the luggage hold.
A spokesman for National Express failed to say whether the company would be apologising to Ibrahim.
They said: "We are always willing to follow up any customer issues and are already proactively engaging with the local community over this matter.
"We've already agreed to meet with Mr Ismail and are in the process of finalising arrangements."