How Speaking Arabic Kept This Pizza Shop Owner Off An Airplane

What do you do when an airline passenger starts speaking Arabic and scares another passenger? Obviously, you keep him off the plane and label him a terror threat.

At least that’s what they thought at Southwest Airlines when a Philadelphia pizza shop owner was overheard speaking Arabic with a friend, according to NBC Chicago.

Mahir Khalil, the owner of Pizza Point in Philly, and his buddy Anas Ayyad said the gate keeper was very apologetic while pulling them aside, but they still wouldn’t let them on the plane.

Khalil, who made clear he’s been an American citizen for 15 years, called the police for help. The flight was delayed, but they were both eventually let on the plane, which was an awkward experience at that point.

Khalil said passengers kept asking him what was in his white-boxed carry-on. Eventually, Khalil revealed that the box was filled with some bomb-ass baklava and shared it with jumpy passengers.

Khalil had some advice for the uncomfortable passengers, via NBC,  “If that person doesn’t feel safe, let them take the bus.”