Masudur Rahman, a professor of Arabic at the University of Memphis, and Mohamed Zaghloul, Imam at the Islamic Association of Greater Memphis, were asked to deplane Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 5452 from Memphis to Charlotte. They were subjected to additional security checks after the plane had pushed back from the gate, Rahman told Reuters by telephone.

After additional screening, the two men were cleared by Delta representatives to re-board the plane, but were then told the pilot would not take them, Rahman said.

Rahman said both men had been cleared for check-in and boarding by airline and Transportation Security Administration officials during normal pre-flight procedures.

According to a TSA spokesman, the decision to remove the two passengers was made by the airline.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a regional partner operating as a Delta Connection, apologized for any inconvenience caused, but offered no further explanation.

The flight "returned to the gate to allow for additional screening of a passenger and the passenger's companion. We take security and safety very seriously, and the event is currently under investigation," an airline statement said.

The two men were headed to a North American Imams conference where they were scheduled to lead prayers. This year's conference is discussing Islamophobia or fears of Islam and discrimination against American Muslims.

Since the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces in Pakistan last week, U.S. government officials have warned that al Qaeda may attempt retaliatory attacks.

Rahman said Delta officials told them it was not passengers who were uncomfortable with the men's presence, but the pilot.

Given the men had been cleared by security, the pilot may not understand Muslim culture, the Islam religion or how they typically dress with their body fully covered, said Rahman.

"People are losing freedom," he said of the incident, which he said happens to other Muslim men and women traveling together.

Rahman and Zaghloul arrived nine hours late to the conference, he said.

(Reporting by Lauren Keiper; Editing by Greg McCune)

Given recent events a lot of people will be nervous in situations like this, as wrong as it is its human nature.

its so obvious that us goverment and not only us one want people to hate muslims ( and many do now ) for something they never did, so they can invade their countries (and they did and doing right now ) to take their lives and resources . shame on them

i only hope that all people reponsible for this will end up in prison.

Given recent events a lot of people will be nervous in situations like this, as wrong as it is its human nature.

i disagree ewok that this is human nature, its ignorant hate or prejudice at best.

there is absolutely zero difference between this incident and the U.S. putting all Japanese Americans in concentration camps on our homeland during ww2. we were at war with other nations as well who's immigrants lived here but the Japanese looked most different. where were the German camps? where were the Italian camps?
to think everyone in Muslim garb is a potential terrorist is fucking pathetic. my countrymen really disappoint me on a regular basis.