Muslim Lawmaker Confronted Obama On Head Scarf Snub

When Barack Obama apologized in person last week to two women at a rally in Detroit wearing head scarves, he did it only after Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), one of two Muslim members of Congress, confronted him about the incident. An Obama campaign volunteer removed the women from Obama's backdrop so they would not appear behind him on camera.

Sources tell Betsy Rothstein, editor of The Hill's In the Know, that Ellison confronted Obama last Thursday during a closed-door meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).

Holding the numbers of the two women, Ellison told Obama the actions of his volunteers were wrong, saying his campaign needed to maintain an air of openness, not discrimination.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[curioustorquemada]

It seems to be a trend with the Obama campaign.
This from a recent stop by Mrs Obama.

While the crowd was indeed diverse, some students at the event questioned the practices of Mrs. Obama"s event coordinators, who handpicked the crowd sitting behind Mrs. Obama. The Tartan"s correspondents observed one event coordinator say to another, "Get me more white people, we need more white people." To an Asian girl sitting in the back row, one coordinator said, "We"re moving you, sorry. It"s going to look so pretty, though."

http://www.thetartan.org/2008/4/7/news/obama

[HumeSkeptic]

Keith Ellison did exactly the right thing confronting 0bama. There is no place for bigotry, regardless of which campaign.

I am glad that 0bama complied with the request and apologized.

[roberto328]

Hey Ellison take your burka and CAIR blood money and go pound salt! When Ellison denounces CAIR and leads a pro USA rally denouncing all the terrorism being committed by muslim radicals, then you apologize.

[MNmommy]

After which, Obama through Ellison under the bus.

[MNmommy]

That'd be threw, heh.

Seriously, after the kerfuffle about the scarf-attired Muslim women, and Ellison's confrontation of Obama on the subject, Obama canceled an appearance with Ellison at a mosque in Cedar Rapids IA.

Ellison was way out in front with his endorsement of Obama, has been campaigning for him and this is how Obama treats him. Pathetic, but predictable. Also, look at all of the negative comments about Ellison. Liberals and progressives should be celebrating Ellison, but now suddenly there is a problem with him. I though we were the people that disavow bigotry and embrace diversity.

I have a problem with this whole situation, and it speaks to things that I've suspected about Obama and Axelrod and company for months.

[TroubleNYC]

I gave up my imaginary friends when I was 9.

[PollyTics]

I don't know why Ellis has come forward at this time. His timing seems suspect as it is not particularly kind to Obama at the moment.

Well, we will see, but frankly, I don't respect Ellis for talking about this issue at this time.

[iswideopen]

What is the problem? The right-wing neocons have slandered and slimed Senator Obama and yet, another democrat, no less, is embarassing us with a story in the Times. Wake up and look at the big picture; you did not have to do this. It is hard enought battling the racism of black vs. white in the election cycle. Why risk us obtaining the white house in November. You know for a fact that Obama is an all inclusive sincere person with a good and honest heart. I hope your 15 minutes of fame was worth it, Keith Ellison. By the way, if you are not happy, go join McBush & Friends who are waiting on the next terroist attack by Muslims specifically to obtain the presidency. You, sir, should be outraged at that. Please pay attention to the facts in front of your face.

[BethinIllinois]

The problem is that Obama's staff acted badly. The problem is NOT Ellison, it's Obama's people. and how the heck do you know Obama has nothing but virtue in his heart? Did he tell you?

Not every Democrat has to walk, lockstep, with Obama. Every person is allowed to have a brain and is allowed to disagree with him. Good god, are you looking for Stepford legislators? He talked to Obama in a closed-door meeting, he didn't shoutl it to the newspapers.

And those are the facts in front of your own face. Being muslim is not a crime. Obama's people should stop treating it like it is.

[enoughalready13]

THANK YOU! Obama = shama. This is pure dirty politics to the core. Everyone is painting Obama as the second coming of Christ!?!? He's just another dirty politician with a different skin color, nothing more, nothing less.

[thankulord13]

You people need to take some time and read! Rep Ellison spoke to Senator Obama in a closed door meeting! So it was not like he was in the middle of the town square yelling. As a African American do use the Black on Black comment okay! It is old and tired. You need to learn to be more of a critical thinker and not fall for everything you read. In this day and age of sensationalism come on don't believe the hype!

[Bettysdad]

The instant this came out I posted that it was phony.

It seems more and more people are coming to that realization.

Stp being a knee-jerk PC liberal, and look at this objectively.

Every bit of info comes from the 2 women. There is no other corobaration.

[mmmd]

George Bush was surrounded by sycophants and enablers. I hope people with access to Obama help keep him on the straight and narrow. That's the job of voters too. Democracy is a two way partnership, not mindless adulation Thank you Mr Ellison.

[freshnotbitter]

Without making too big a deal of this incident, I would simply point out that no other religion gets picked out of a crowd as a political liability on grounds that it is a political adversary.

Is Islam, is head covering for women in the Islalmic tradition, a religious symbol or a political one??
How is it treated?

[abdallac]

I would be happy to answer your question...
In Islam, the hijab is not a tradition - it is mandated by Almight G-d as it was mandated to Jewish and Christian women (yes, see I Corinthians 11 3-10). However how it is worn/styled by women from across the globe is a cultural tradition. If you go to Senegal the dress is beautiful bold prints, North Africa intricate woven detailing, Saudi - the traditional black abaya of the finest cotton or most expensive silk, Pakistan - wildly vibrant colors and exquisite embroidery.

Covering is mandated for MEN and women (obviously in a different manner for each gender), modesty is mandated for MEN and women, lowering your gaze is mandated for MEN and women.
You will notice that the command goes to MEN first and foremost.

For myself and my girlfriends I will tell you we are HONORED to wear it, even with all the difficulty of stares, sneers and ignorance. It is obedience to the Almighty and a constant reminder of humility and that their is a G-d above me, the independence to define our own body image, it is a PRIVACY ISSUE, the strength of being judged for our intellect and character rather than our commericialized body parts and impossible ideal of beauty. And yes, you can say it can also be a political statement - THIS IS WHO I AM, I AM A MUSLIM WOMAN AND PROUD OF MY FAITH, PROUD OF MY HERITAGE YOU WON'T MAKE ME ASHAMED.

[Mattie]

MSNBC reported this morning that the Obama campaign said no thanks to Keith Ellison appearing for them. I guess they only want to unite part of the country.....LOL hope and change

[Knowbetter]

Keith Ellison wants a fat lip.

[Sarahjan]

I do not think that problem is Obama's as such. I think the problem is America's soul is at stake. Thousands of Americans are dying supposedly to keep America safe. But how safe is America when fear can win elections? Don't you see what is going on?

[Speakchic]

Ok I understand that he's upset. But why is everyone now blaming Obama for something that he didn't create for himself. Obama who has been accused for being a muslim as if he were he didn't have a right to and any reference to the Muslim world close to his campaign has been USED by the GOP as a means of smearing him. It's the RIGHT-WING Conservatives who constantly make this an issue and NOW b/c of the hostile atmosphere that THEY'VE created it's somehow his fault and now he's the bad guy.

Why isn't anyone coming out in defense of him and explaining why such a gesture was made in the first place, by volunteers of his campaign no less. I guess it's easier to just pile onto Obama on this one b/c after all everyone else is so why not join along.

This country is full of the BIGGEST hyprocrites. He can't win with or without the Muslim world. So annoying and SAD! If he embraces them then McCain goes out and says Hamas endorsed him and if he rejects them then he offends them.

What does this country want from this man? They ask questions of him that contain no real resolution and try to trap him on every issue while McCain the "war hero" gets a free ride.

[IRepTheKing]

Exactly. I am so tired of him (Obama) apologizing. I really want to tell them (not Muslims but all the "petty" complainers that link Obama to stuff he didn't do) where and what they can KISS. If anyone reading this doesn't understands the spot those two women put Obama in then you too need a wake up slap. The race has been dirty all along, trying to paint Obama as a Muslim. I don't blame him for taking steps to keep that kinda talk suppressed. BUT the thing is: he DIDNT. I would have, but he didn't. Some volunteers did and not after consulting him or by his instruction. So why is all this attention necessary.

And as for Ellison, he really need to sit his fat behind down somewhere.

[TGCNY]

Just give me a break Dont you people see that the right the man have enough issues to deal with that the right trys to label him with all kinds of smear an Muslims noThis why not wake up an not feed into the non sensce the right wing want you to get upset about "Think"

[Truthmeter]

Oh, son know it's a right wing conspiracy, the problem with those way left is that they can't take responsibility for anything...grow up.

[Knowbetter]

I'm sorry, is it the leftists who keep send out e-mails saying Obama is a Muslim and is therefore not suitable to be president? My bad!

[Samirah1368]

wow just read the comments I'm glad most of you see this story for what it is...

[Sumocat]

I like how they hit the point that Obama apologized "only after" being confronted. This happened over, what, the course of a few days? I know we've grown impatient to the point that things are expected to happen instantly, but the incident happened without his knowledge. He couldn't have apologized before he learned about it and probably didn't have their numbers on hand to call them as soon as he found out. Time stops for no man.