Bafta-winning British actor Adeel Akhtar has described a distressing incident in which he was detained and interrogated for hours by US authorities at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport over suspected terrorist links.
The Ordeal at JFK Airport
Akhtar, known for his roles in Four Lions and Sherwood, detailed the event during an appearance on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. The incident occurred in 2002, a period he described as being "during the time of Guantanamo". He was travelling to New York with his girlfriend for an audition when security personnel took his passport just before boarding the flight in the UK, promising its return upon arrival at JFK.
"Once we landed at JFK, the plane sort of taxied off into a sort of secluded part on the runway, and then I see this convoy of cars coming through," Akhtar recounted. Officials boarded the aircraft, informed him they would handcuff him "for their own protection," and escorted him into the airport terminal for questioning.
Hours of Questioning and Lasting Impact
The actor stated the interrogation lasted for four or five hours, involving extensive periods of waiting. The questions focused on whether he had any affiliations with terrorist organisations and if he was a practising Muslim. "I was aware of what they were trying to get at," Akhtar said. "I just sort of held my nerve and just answered the questions as honestly as I could, and then got out of there."
Despite being "shocked" by the event, Akhtar proceeded with his audition. The aftermath extended to his family, with his father attempting to sue the FBI over the treatment. Akhtar poignantly described seeing his father, a man with a "blind faith in the idea of doing good and the rule of law," become emotionally withdrawn after failing to secure justice. "His expression of love was to protect me and do the right thing, and he was unable to sort of do either," Akhtar reflected.
A Distinguished Career
Adeel Akhtar has established himself as a leading figure in British film and television. He starred as Faisal in Chris Morris's satire Four Lions (2010) and delivered acclaimed performances in the BBC film Murdered By My Father and the Nottingham-set crime drama Sherwood. His work has been recognised with multiple Bafta awards.
The actor's account sheds light on the heightened security tensions and profiling experienced by some travellers in the years following the September 11 attacks.
