Not easy to answer.
Some of us here in the US are indeed trigger happy when it comes to Arabs in general and Arab pilots in particular.
The Arab requesting a jump-seat could be a "Sleeper".
Not very likely of course, but before September 11th, nobody thought it was very likey that a bunch a lunatics would even THINK about hijacking airliners, then point them into buildings.
I would change my name and lay low in the terrain, especially not requesting cockpit jump seat here in the US.
But of course, you are indeed entitled to ask: It is just my personal opinion that the timing is not the best....
