U.S. bans British Muslim family from Disneyland holiday trip

A British Muslim family, which includes nine children, were barred from going to Disneyland after U.S. officials prevented them from flying to Los Angeles, British media reported Wednesday.

The family of 11 members was about to fly to Los Angeles for a holiday trip to Disneyland on Dec. 15, but they were approached by U.S. Homeland Security officials in the departure lounge at London Gatwick Airport and barred from boarding their flight, British Sky News reported.

The father, Mohammad Tariq Mahmood, said they felt "humiliated and alienated".

Officials told him and his family that their authorization to travel on the flight had been cancelled without further explanation.

Mahmood, who was travelling with his brother and nine of their children, said all of the family members had authorization to travel under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, but officials told them they were not allowed to board the plane.

"As far as we're concerned we haven't done anything wrong. We've not had a problem with the police. We're normal, law-abiding citizens. We work here and pay our taxes and we're just like normal people," he said.

"We actually felt humiliated, alienated, because the way we were dealt with was just out of the ordinary. Everyone's eyes were on us, it was embarrassing," he added.

Mahmood told the Guardian newspaper that he believed the reason for the last-minute cancellation was "because of the attacks on America - they think every Muslim poses a threat."

Stella Creasy, a member of Parliament (MP) who represents Walthamstow, where Mahmood lives, has urged British Prime Minister David Cameron to step in to challenge the U.S. decision. Endit