A HUMAN rights campaigner claims his children were left in tears after he was “racially profiled” at the airport and asked “unbelievable” personal questions while detained.

Afghanistan-born Mohammad Asif, the director of Scotland’s Children Foundation and a prominent campaigner has spoken out on his alleged treatment while he was detained at Glasgow Airport on Monday morning.

He had travelled to Pakistan to meet his mother, who has dementia and was flying back from Dubai when he was stopped by officers and taken to a room to be quizzed.

“I was there for over an hour,” he said.

“My children and wife tried to phone me while I was in but I didn’t answer. When I came out I told them I had been detained and they started crying and shaking.”

“They took my phone and looked through all my photographs and messages. I’m not saying I have anything to hide, but that is your private life.

“They were racially profiling me.”

Mr Asif, who in 2000 fled the Taliban in Afghanistan seeking refuge in Glasgow, was reportedly asked what his knowledge of the terrorist organisation was by the officers.

He said: “They asked me if I knew whether the Taliban were in Pakistan. I said, you’d have to ask the Pakistani government.”

The 54-year-old campaigner claims officers questioned him on his religion: “They asked me if I was a Muslim, what kind of Muslim was I, how often did I pray, was I a strict Muslim?”

He said he was “targeted” because he is both a Muslim and an activist.

During the interview, he claimed that officers took his wallet and made copies of his drivers’ licence, bank cards and National Insurance card as well as his passport.

It is the second time Mr Asif has been detained at Glasgow Airport.

He said: “The last time the officers asked me if I knew where Bin Laden was. I said, if I knew were he was I wouldn’t be here I would be in Downing Street telling Tony Blair and collecting the cash reward.”

Detective Superintendent Ian Gardner, the police head of borders policing command said:”Police Scotland works closely with our colleagues and partners to keep the people of Scotland, and the millions of people travelling to and from our country, safe.

“Border Policing Command deploys dedicated resources at airports and sea ports and is primarily engaged in countering the terrorist threat, helping maintain national security and tackling serious and organised crime.

“This effort requires the support of the public along with internal and external partners to ensure Scotland is a safe place to live in and travel to and from.”