Zayn Malik opens up about being racially profiled on travels to the US

Zayn Malik has recently revealed to the Evening Standard that he was frequently placed under stressful security checks when passing through checkpoints in American airports due to his Muslim name and ethnicity.
“The first time I came to America, I had three security checks before I got on the plane; first they said I had been randomly selected, then they said it was something to do with my name, that it was flagging on their system,” the pop star said. “When I landed, it was like a movie. They kept me there for three hours, questioning me about all kinds of crazy stuff. I was 17, it was my first time in America, I was jet-lagged off the plane, I was confused. The same thing happened the next time, too.”
Though the experience he described was traumatic, Malik said he was understanding, and didn’t give into anger. “I understand the level of caution that needs to be taken, especially now,” he explained. “I don’t think there’s any benefit to getting angry- it’s something that comes with the climate.”
Malik has always been proud of his Muslim heritage, and as one of the most famous Muslim artists today, he’s got all the more reason to be open about his experiences. “I take a great sense of pride- and responsibility- in knowing that I’m the first of my kind from my background. I’m not currently practicing, but I was raised in the Islamic faith, so it will always be with me, and I identify a lot with the culture. But I’m just me. I don’t want to be defined by my religion or my cultural background.”