This was a creative way for Rashidul Islam to delay his flight. Where did he get the bright idea to do this?

Whatever his intentions, he certainly succeeded in “striking terror in the unbelievers” (Qur’an 8:60).

“Gatwick bomb hoaxer Rashidul Islam tried to delay Easyjet flight,” by Aidan Barlow, The Argus, January 17, 2020:

A HOAXER claimed there was a bomb on an aircraft because he was late for his flight.

Rashidul Islam wanted to catch the 5.40pm flight from Gatwick to Marrakech.

He told a 999 call handler: “EasyJet flight 8897 leaves in 40 minutes… There may be a bomb on the plane, you need to delay it, you need to stop it now.”

It sparked panic as cabin crew and pilots had to get off the plane, while passengers were held at the gate in the terminal.

Meanwhile Islam, a designer, turned up late to check-in, and an investigation found the number which had dialled 999 was his.

Passengers faced having to go back through airport security, and were held up for more than three hours.

The 32-year-old was arrested at the North Terminal on suspicion of making a bomb hoax and was taken into custody.

At Lewes Crown Court, Islam was jailed for 16 months, and was told he is banned from Gatwick Airport.

Detective Constable Stephen Trott said the incident happened on May 4 last year.

In police interview, Islam, of Ivy Road, London, fully admitted the offence.

He claimed he intended to travel to Marrakech to meet with his fiancée.

But he had problems on public transport which caused him to be late for his flight.

In a desperate attempt to delay it, he called 999 to say he had information there was a bomb on the plane….