The Independent Advisory Group (IAG), compromising of members of the Ethnic Minority community, has been launched to work with police and counter terror officials. The IAG was officially launched and announced at yesterday's public meeting on airport security held by Humza Yousaf MSP and attended by senior police officials, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar.

In addition, Humza Yousaf also launched a petition calling on the Home Secretary, Theresa May, for a review of Schedule 7 powers. The petition will be in Glasgow Mosques, Sikh Gudwaras and various ethnic minority organisations around the country.

Speaking after the meeting Yousaf said: "The fact that there was standing room only in the hall last night shows the strength and depth of feeling on this issue among the diverse communities in Scotland. I was astonished that people claimed to have been stopped at Glasgow airports more than 15 times. The system is shown to be completely inefficient, but perhaps more dangerously, is breeding a sense of grievance and frustration among people.

"In 1000 cases, 999 people will bear that sense of grievance and eventually get over it, however what about that one person who already believes 'the West' is against him, who already feels the State is against him and is already flirting with dangerous ideologies? This may well be the incident that tips him over the edge.

"No-one is suggesting we stop grannies going to Jersey for their summer holidays. But what we must do is review the current legislation and see if a more efficient and less hostile security check can be devised, whereby innocent people aren't stopped time after time, making them fearful of flying out of their City's own airport.

It was often said that internment was the greatest recruiting sergeant the IRA ever had, we cannot allow our arbitrary airport stops to become a propaganda tool for those who radicalise others.

Rizi Mohammed, from the newly formed IAG commented: The IAG was formed after a number of complaints were received from people who felt targeted and harassed by police at Glasgow airports in particular.

"Most members of our diverse communities that get stopped and questioned are born and bred Scots; they want the airport to be as safe as possible for them and their families. However, the way things are done presently is counter-productive and is only serving to create a hostile atmosphere between police and communities; and strain what has always been a good relationship.

We have been tasked to work constructively with the police and counter-terror officials to find solutions to people's concerns while maintaining public safety. I am confident that with positive dialogue and engagement this will be achievable.

Leading Human Rights Lawyer, Aamer Anwar, who was also speaking at yesterday's public meeting said: "When growing up in Liverpool we were often stopped in our cars for what we termed 'driving under the influence of being Black', what we can't have in Glasgow airports is Muslims being pulled aside for 'being under the influence of the Quran'.

"Thousands upon thousands of innocent Muslims and other minorities are being harassed and targeted by police every time they go to the airport. They are being asked how many times they pray, which Mosque they go to and whether or not they know where Bin laden is - such questioning is doing nothing but serving to provoke and to intimidate.

A review of the current draconian powers in needed and needed urgently."

Notes:

Meeting was held yesterday at Polloksheilds Burgh Hall and attended by 80 people. Panel included senior police officials, Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill and Aamer Anwar - chaired by Humza Yousaf MSP.