Results tagged “alvinailey”

The Daily News reports that a dancer in the Alvin Ailey dance company was forced to dance "to convince Israeli airport security he was no Islamic terrorist." Abdur-Rhaim Jackson's first name aroused attention, and he explained that his father "converted to Islam and gave me this name." He also showed them a brochure with his photographs in it, prompting them to ask him to dance, "I was embarrassed, but I was afraid to do something wrong that may cause me to look suspicious." So he did and then was asked to dance again for another guard before being allowed to pass. Jackson said he would not formally complain, "We're only here to bring positive light to our lives and the people here." The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an international tour and many other events.