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The US stopping Muslims traveling without explanation is simply bad for business

Travelers go through the security checkpoint at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015. U.S. travelers over the year-end holiday season will surge to a record 100.5 million as cheap fuel makes trips more affordable. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg

The US government has to explain why a British Muslim family of 11 was barred from flying to Disneyland last week. So far, US authorities have said nothing, beyond anonymous briefings.

Unfortunately itis not the only case of its kind involving Muslims. A growing number of British Muslims have come forward with similar stories of being stopped at the last minute from travelling to America, even after being granted visas – including Ajmal Masroor, a well-known British imam, whose case has received much media attention.

The reputation of America is at stake. This and, on the other hand, the alarming increases in hate crimes against Muslims in the country would prevent many Muslims from travelling to the States. Muslims across the world will think twice about holidaying, working and investing in the US if such discriminatory treatment is not explained. As Mr Mansoor said: This “does not win the hearts and minds of people, it turns them off”.