Muslim woman: Scarf kept her from seat near Obama

DETROIT — A young Muslim woman said she and another woman were refused seats directly behind Barack Obama _ and in front of TV cameras _ at a Detroit rally because they wear head scarfs.

Hebba Aref said Wednesday that she and Shimaa Abdelfadeel were among 20,000 supporters who gathered to see the Democratic presidential hopeful on Monday at the Joe Louis Arena when the groups they were with were separately invited by Obama campaign volunteers to sit behind the podium. But Aref said the volunteers told members of both parties in separate discussions that women wearing hijabs, the traditional Muslim head scarves, weren't included in the invitation and couldn't sit behind the podium.

Aref, a 25-year-old lawyer, said a member of her group was told by a volunteer that she could not invite Aref because of "a sensitive political climate."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton issued a statement saying such actions are "not the policy of the campaign."

"It is offensive and counter to Obama's commitment to bring Americans together and simply not the kind of campaign we run. We sincerely apologize for this behavior," the statement read.

Aref said she replied by thanking Burton, but requested Obama apologize directly to her and Abdelfadeel, as well as invitations to sit behind him at a future campaign event. Obama spokeswoman Amy Brundage said the campaign has apologized.

"He needs to take the matter seriously and send a strong message against any kind of discrimination," Aref said.

A message was left Wednesday morning by The Associated Press for Abdelfadeel.

Presidential campaigns routinely invite audience members they believe will enhance the image their candidate wants to convey on TV to stand behind the candidate at rallies.

Aref, who was born in the United States to Egyptian immigrants, said she had defended Obama during the primaries against a constant drumbeat of rumors that he was Muslim. Obama is a Christian.

Obama also has been careful in denouncing the links, noting that some rumors about him also have been insulting to Muslims.

"I don't want to be called something I'm not, but I felt like ... everyone was treating this accusation of being Muslim as though it were some sort of crime or sin," Aref said.

She was grateful that the group she was with at the rally, which included her brother, Sharif, as well as non-Muslim colleagues of his, declined the invitation to take seats behind Obama after she was refused.

Still, she said, it was difficult to hear Obama's message of unity among races.

"As he's saying it, I'm thinking, 'Well, wait a minute, I was obviously ... profiled and discriminated against an hour ago.'"

Comments

[NKR]

It's sickening hearing stories like this. The irrational fear & even outright hatred of Islam has got to stop. Christianity is no better than Islam. I have met many Muslims throughout my life and they are usually extremely kind, polite, and friendly people. And I sure haven't met one with any violent or fundamentalist beliefs.

I hope this never happens again in Obama's campaign, although I'm hoping its just a one time mistake. Its really sick that in this country calling someone a Muslim is tantamount to libel. Imagine other countries using "Christian" or "Jewish" as an insult because a few Christians or Jews had done something bad to that country.

[vcsmith]

You're right that this shouldn't happen. It just shows that all the candidates are politicians and its politics as usual on the campaign trail.
But, just because you haven't met someone with any violent or fundamentalist beliefs, doesn't mean that they are not out there.

[NKR]

Well I know they're out there, but I'm just saying the vast majority in the US are decent people. Just like most Christians are decent people. As an atheist I think that both religions can produce violent followers and generally irrational people, usually as a result of fundamentalism & thinking that their religious texts are always correct. But to think Christians and Muslims in general are bad because of a few bad apples would be misguided.

[GrainOSand]

The morality of supporters and surrogates versus that of the candidate is not something that necessarily indicts a candidate, especially at this level. If Mr. Obama had refused the women, I would have serious issue with his morality. Based on the story, the morals and judgment of the event people come into question. Those people require some instruction and mandate concerning change that people can believe in. It is not a catch phrase or something to form a cult or clique around, something that gives license to do what they say they are against in action as well as principle. It is more a statement of intent to look at and change those things about this society that hinder it; that would be the economy, the foreign and domestic policy, and most importantly the definition of what it means to be American in how we view and treat one another. Unity and peace are often misquoted, often misused, often misunderstood, and often mangled in practice.


Be the change!

[SEQUOIABISON]

This is the result of bigots like Rush and Hannity who never stop associating Obama with Muslim terrorists, like the female commentator on Fox who said the fist bump was a terrorist greeting.

It is a no win situation for Obama; if he stacks the audience behind him with people dressed in head scarfs he will be castigated for being a Muslim, if a cautious assistant to Obama tries to avoid having his candidate seen with obvious Muslims he will be castigated for being as being a bigot.

We Obama fans know what he is all about by now, so let the Rush Limbaughs of America twist and distort the facts to suit their own bigotry we know our candidate is a true humanitarian.

[khalibrrr]

As a Muslim I find this very disheartening. I support Obama but the way that Islam has been stigmatized during this whole campaign cycle is disturbing. I will really contemplate whether or not I want to vote for Obama based solely on this.

[lizr]

gonna go vote for McCain then?

good luck with that -

[StephenDedalus82]

You people are funny. I've read everything from the Muslim girls were obviously plants (how does that excuse anything?) to "it was only a volunteer!!!" ("overreacting" according to the oh-so-objective Huffpost headline), to it is somehow Hillary Clinton's fault. It would be hilarious if I didn't think delusion and cults of personality were so dangerous for a democracy. Come on people, he ain't Jesus. Give the mind-bending defenses a rest and just admit it was a screw up. I know I won't get you to admit he's just a calculating pol like the rest of them (that might make him seem like the evil demon woman Hillary Clinton), but at least admit that it's nobody's fault but his campaign's.

[lizr]

it wasnt a screwup.

The man's people have some idea of public relations. Duh...

[sherbug]

Is this the fricking Twilight Zone or what? Why are Muslims insulted because they are not seated in the photo op seats, yet they are not insulted as the right wing paints all Muslims as scary, unAmerican people that should be avoided. What the flip are Muslims thinking about? Why are they jumping on Obama. He is not the one who is painting them as unAmerican.

[lizr]

it's all and always O's fault.

so f ing ridiculous!

[harriscrl3]

The more I hear the media obssessing (since it can harldy be called reporting) over this story the more I wonder if its a plant. Here's how it could be a plant. Here's how it could go down may they want a photo op with Obama and muslim women so that they could use to scare off voters they didnt bank on this volunteer denying them the opportunity so when she did they turned it around into a discrimination story and how hurt they were. See heres the thing this woman is a lawyer and a muslim surely she has to know the pressure that Obama would be under were she to be in a photo with him so why push it? I'd be curious to know if she wears her muslim dress everywhere.

Carol

[Bettysdad]

Thank you, Carol.

There a billion questions to be asked to show this was a set-up. I've posted some of them further down.

[lizr]

brilliant Carol- that is EXACTLY what went down, I'd put big money on it!

[lizr]

ten to one that is exactly what happened.

The MSM is out to smear him any way they can and I for one am so tired of it.

[hip dibler]

last time i checked it wasn't a crime to be muslim. stop listening to republican bs.

[personalpolitical]

IT WAS A VOLUNTEER!!! I'm sick of the media trying to make it out as though Obama personally told them they couldn't sit there! He had NOTHING to do with it, and he is obviously against that sort of thing. The media just doesn't want to report on McCain's flip-flops or his embrace of failed policies or that he is running around saying that we should be pursuing unconstitutional policies. C'mon REPORT ON SOME REAL NEWS!!!

This is a complete non-issue, and I'm sick of this crap in the MSM. Tim Russert at least had the sense two weeks or so ago to say, Hey, we should stop pushing this nonsense and start focusing on the issues for a change! And yet the media doesn't change, it keeps on running with these distractions while FAILING to report on things that actually MATTER. I'm sick of it.

[joeinvt]

Sound like something the Clinton campaign would do.

[papla]

This stuff was made to happen..how does this story get to the press??

[Bettysdad]

That's one of the HUGEST questions.

How did these people know how to get to the press with all this info, and why was the press so ready to belive them and put out the story without a seconds research.

We know absolutely nothing about these people except what they want us to believe.

And the press showed itself to be astoundingly lazy, and biased against Obama. And most of the poster here can't jump on the bandwagon fast enough.

Shame on you.

[lizr]

the whole story is a MSM plant job. so clear to see.

they wanted to smear O and were pissed they were denied the opportunity so made this into a non story to smear him.

[lizr]

It was clearly a set up by teh MSM - they so s u c k.

[papla]

Obama camp is smart..ha ha ha. this stuff was made to happen so that people we talk about why those ladies were not allowed to stand behind him which is to try to debung all those Obama is a muslim rumors..as you can see people in the media are now saying Obama people are so sensitive to the Muslim smear against him.

[lizr]

MSM smear job thwarted by a volunteer and now they are pissed so decided to give it ink. that's all. No story here.

[Bettysdad]

I believe what you just said is absolutely true.

And it's a huge story.

[papla]

i can see GOP hand written all over this.

[Gumby123]

absolutely, they planted spies in Obama's camp.

[abdallac]

I will also add that American Muslims understand the political realities on the ground. HOWEVER, the Obama campaign has gone overboard to make sure everybody and their unborn baby knows he is NOT a Muslim. Okay, we all know he's Christian, but it's more about what he's not saying, what he's not asserting, what he's not defending - that there is nothing wrong with being Muslim. Muslims have been in this country for 400 years (yes, that's right), they are your doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers and most of the time you don't even know that they are Muslim - like Dr. Mehmet Oz on Oprah.
it's the extreme sort of denial of all things Muslim that is offensive. There are more Muslim voters than there are Jewish ones - so a little courtesy and respect would go a long way. DON'T BLAME THE VICTIM.

[abdallac]

Well, I KNOW Hebba Aref personally - she is conscientious, bright and lovely young woman - hardly a "plant by the right wing". It did happen to her, and you folks have no idea how hellish it has been in the last 8 years to be a Muslim in America, MUCH less a Muslim woman wearing hijab in America. HIs overall response to the whole Muslim "smear" is at best dissappointing and really rubs many of us the wrong way, this situation really doesn't help. A personal apology would go a long way with the Muslim community right now.

The Muslim community here in Detroit overwhelmingly supports Obama, if for no other reason than he is the brightest beacon for change that we have seen in a long time - also, he has a global perspective and outlook most other candidates can't claim. None of us thinks he is an "undercover Muslim" and we find the repeated claims equally ridiculous and offensive. Chances are with most human beings if your father ABANDONED your family, you will cling and uphold the example and beliefs/faith of the parent that raised and sacrificed for you.

[papla]

You must be stupid then if you think he can win the election by him been labeled as muslim...will muslim vote give him 270 electoral vote??

[abdallac]

And YOU ARE SIMPLY RUDE AND INAPPROPRIATE.

There are over 2 MILLION Muslim voters here in America - yes, that could swing things around for the positive.

You must be a person who sells yourself to the highest bidder as a matter of course - no integrity and worse don't understand the word I N T E G R I T Y.

[tubette]

Unfortunately, the fact that none of you think is an "undercover Muslim" matters to the people who do think he is. Even more unfortunately, these people's votes matter. As a fan of Senator Obama's, knowing the challenges he faces to win this election in a country where rumours like this continue to spread, I would think you might understand how a volunteer for him might over react. In fact, I think you would totally understand the situation.

[lizr]

I cannot believe the hea d up the a $$ attitude of the young woman and her defenders.

People need to get a grip on the challenges we face and how you are crippling O with this kind of BS.

[sherbug]

Can you speak to why Muslims are not angry that they are being demonized by the right wing? Why are they not disturbed by this. If I were Muslim, I would be furious.

[abdallac]

Can I ask YOU why you seem to think we are NOT furious. It's not as if anyone is out there trying to print anything that mainstream American Muslims have to say on the topic.

We've tried and are simply SHUT OUT by the local and national media on almost every relevant topic starting with our denouncement of those terrorists that flew into the towers and that this is not Islam. No body wanted to listen, no one wanted to accept our money - even Hillary Clinton gave back money so many Muslims donated to the victims of 9/11.

Right.

[Bettysdad]

And exactly what in your post disproves the obvious conclusion that this was a set-up?

"she is conscientious, bright and lovely young woman." And this proves what? There are people that say the same things about Ann Coulter.

How about some facts?

[scottysbeam]

What happened to the woman was wrong. Apologies should be given. I could understand if 80% of the people had head scarfs, but I don't think there were any.

That being said, I always found it interesting that Hillary had six percent African American support but all six seemed to find their way behind her on stage. I even saw some behind her in South Dakota... she must have brought them with her.

Some white people must have been told "no" so African Americans could be presented. (This is a guess, I don't know)

It's messed up all the way around.

[Probus]

I don't think Obama would approve of what the volunteer did i.e. keeping Muslims out of pictures because they wore head scarfs. He must have thousands of volunteers. He can't be expected to know what each of them does. What happened to these women was unacceptable. The apology from the campaign is enough. Hopefully in future Obama's campaign will take steps to make sure Muslims are not treated this way.

[vernonbc]

Obama and his staff very specifically stated that what the volunteers did was totally unacceptable and they have been spoken to and told how wrong they were. You're right, he can't be expected to be a personal supervisor of all the volunteers he has but IMO, he did absolutely the right thing with his immediate public apology. They also released pictures of the crowd behind him at other rallies that clearly show Muslim people with their scarves so you know this was a one-time screw-up.