Two Muslims women banned from Obama photo op because of their headscarf !

[eurekaa]

Two veiled muslim women were prohibited from sitting behind the podium at Barack Obama’s Monday rally in Detroit

Ladies refused seats behind Obama because of headscarf

http://www.onlines.ws/wp-content/img/obama_seen.jpg




WASHINGTON -
Two Muslim women were barred from sitting behind the podium at an Obama rally, as campaign officials sought to prevent their headscarves appearing in images with the Democratic presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, reports said Wednesday.


In two separate incidents Monday at a rally in Detroit, Michigan — which boasts one of the largest Muslim communities in the United States — women wearing headscarves were told they could not sit in the section that forms the visual backdrop behind Obama, Washington-based Politico.com reported.


“I was coming to support him, and I felt like I was discriminated against by the very person who was supposed to be bringing this change,” Hebba Aref, a 25-year-old lawyer, told the website.



“The message that I thought was delivered to us was that they do not want him associated with Muslims or Muslim supporters,” Aref said.


A friend accompanying Aref said a campaign volunteer had specifically cited “the political climate” as an explanation.


The other woman, Shimaa Abdelfadeel, said she was told no one with any head coverings, including baseball caps and scarves, could sit behind the stage, and that the rule was not an attack on her religion.


The Obama campaign reportedly apologized to the women.


“This is of course 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,” Obama spokesman Bill Burton was quoted as saying.


“We sincerely apologize for the behavior of these volunteers.”
Obama, who has struggled to suppress a viral rumor that he is Muslim, has billed himself in the 2008 presidential race as the candidate of change and inclusion who can transcend identity politics.


But his vigorous denials that he is Muslim has been known to frustrate some followers of Islam because of the implication that there is something wrong with the religion.


Related News Updated on 20 June 2008
Obama apologizes to Muslims over photo snub (http://www.onlines.ws/?p=663)

[Calanen]

I think as punishment, Obama should be made to wear a headscarf.

[Adux]

That was a stupid move!!! as well as not expected out of a US presidential candidate

[Merfeller]

The people sitting directly behind a candidate during a major speech or rally are usually staged - either pre-arranged groups or people selected by campaign staffers. That being said, this was a stupid, stupid move on the Obama campaign's part. Aside from being blatantly discriminatory this will cost him votes. Michigan, especially the Detroit area, has a significant population of muslims/Americans of Arabic descent. Lame ass apology/excuse to follow, I'm sure. Plus two out of work campaign staffers.

[dimasorokine]

He would probably lose more votes if he included two Muslim women in the background. Lets be realistic, for quite a large portion of the US population Islam = Terrorism. Its a smart move on Obama's part.

-Dima

[WarriorMonk]

you're supposed to be looking at the candidate when he's speaking - not at the people behind him - who the hell does that?

[Calanen]

They wont complain much....just a bit of a whine. Obama is their man after all.

If it was McCain, they'd be asking for the death penalty.

[PeterRJG]

It never ceases to amaze me how candidates have to cater to, pander to and apologise for all varieties of trivial and insignificant BS. This is just another example.

[Sanat-e-naft]

This is dumb. if he had put them back there, all of a sudeen there would be morons all around the counrty saying he was a muslim or dumb sh!t like that. Some people will make a story out of anything. If he had let them in he is a muslim or even worse...muslim sympathizer (god forbid)... if he doesn't he is selling someone out?

Hopefully most Muslims will see that the choice is between a guy who is willing to hear them, and one whom six years into a war dealing with Shiite and Sunni still cant tell them apart or determine what countries back which.

[Nickchios]

Is there any photo with Mr Ahmadinejan and a western woman without headscarf behind him....????:):)

[AmericanAirman]

He turned them down because he needed seats for more old, typical white women.

[Bringer of Greater Things]

He would probably lose more votes if he included two Muslim women in the background. Lets be realistic, for quite a large portion of the US population Islam = Terrorism. Its a smart move on Obama's part.

-Dima


If two Muslim women in head scarves had showed up in Obama campaign add, we'd see it in chain emails until November. It's a no-win situation.

[vinny_121_ND]

I wouldn't want to sit behind him while he's speaking.

[SBL]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Either way he was going to take heat.

[Merfeller]

This is dumb. if he had put them back there, all of a sudeen there would be morons all around the counrty saying he was a muslim or dumb sh!t like that. Some people will make a story out of anything. If he had let them in he is a muslim or even worse...muslim sympathizer (god forbid)... if he doesn't he is selling someone out?

Hopefully most Muslims will see that the choice is between a guy who is willing to hear them, and one whom six years into a war dealing with Shiite and Sunni still cant tell them apart or determine what countries back which.

1. There already are morons all around the country who say he's a muslim.

2. Yes, the media will make a big deal out of everything. That's why this was a dumb move. Had there been two women in head scarves standing behind him, and had someone criticized this, he could have simply said something inkeeping with the central message of his campaign, i.e. hope, change, unity, bla bla bla. Instead he gave his rivals ammo to create yet another overhyped public spectacle.

[Adux]

Such a hypocrite "bringing people together" "change we can believe in" ; snake oil salesmen. I expect the US and its candidates to uphold the values of humanity as paramount.

[seraosha]

I expect the US and its candidates to uphold the values of humanity as paramount.

Ok, lets not get to far ahead of ourselves here. I love the US, but "upholding the values of humanity" is just a wee bit over the top...which values? Whose values? Too slippery a slope, imo. Lets just promote the values of America, and work on the rest as available.

[Adux]

Ok, lets not get to far ahead of ourselves here. I love the US, but "upholding the values of humanity" is just a wee bit over the top...which values? Whose values? Too slippery a slope, imo. Lets just promote the values of America, and work on the rest as available.

America has got more closer to those values than any other nation, I as a citizen of another consitutional democratic secular country, I am saddened by the fact that my constitution doesnt have "pursuit of happiness" in it.

[seraosha]

Well come on over man, we got room.

[packetloss]

Such a hypocrite "bringing people together" "change we can believe in" ; snake oil salesmen. I expect the US and its candidates to uphold the values of humanity as paramount.

Im not a supporter (hell, im not american) but honestly people - do you REALLY think it was him or his paid staff? A number of TV news shows have pointed out it was a LOCAL, VOLUNTEER. It was likely the poor judgement of a middle aged white woman who heads her bridge club and is being progressive by voting for a black man.

Calling him as a person a hypocrite is a bit extreme, unless he as a person did it or issued an order to do it. There's other things to tar and feather him for.

[Bombtrack]

That was a stupid move!!! as well as not expected out of a US presidential candidate

I highly doubt he himself selects the backdrop. Probably just a stupid campaign volunteer

[Hollis]

I highly doubt he himself selects the backdrop. Probably just a stupid campaign volunteer


The risk get higher, people get more nervous and dumb things happen more often.

[packetloss]

Probably just a stupid campaign volunteer

Not probably, Certainly. As i said, its been stated repeatedly that it was a local supporter who was helping set up the venue. Non-issue, really. Unless you want the volunteer fired.

[Mr.K]

They could have just put one scarved muslim, you know like in the generic pictures, where you have a group of people and you have one disabled, one woman and one black person.

Or photoshop the picture later.

[futurepilot2004]

If two Muslim women in head scarves had showed up in Obama campaign add, we'd see it in chain emails until November. It's a no-win situation.

x2, we`d probably get people commenting on it here too.

[miguelencanarias]

Much ado about nothing.

I still remember that kid backstage at a Bush's speech who began pulling faces and yawning. It was all over the news, a field day for Jon Stewart and all the late night guys, nobody even cared what was the president talking about (not that we usually do, but anyway...) so what's is so terrible about a little vetting here and there? That wouldn't be a first in presidential campaigns.

[khukuri]

x2, we`d probably get people commenting on it here too.

!t would have been unquestioned proof of obama being a muslim.

[Adux]

Well come on over man, we got room.

Thanks man,

I have overwhelming respect to some of the ethos your country. I have left UK and have come back to my country to make a difference. Though I plan to study in the US for a certain course I am looking at, maybe in 3 years time when I can get time off work.
We are slowly building this nation, it needs work but it is still great place with lot of values I admire, at 60 quite young, Once again thanks.

[Ariha]

Be patient ladies, hide your annoyance, Barry Soetoro will do everything in his reach to hand over the US of A to Islam when/if elected.

[Morboute]

so the trick to win the election is to send fake supporters wearing burqha's to the other candidates apperances? p-)

[noname]

I highly doubt he himself selects the backdrop. Probably just a stupid campaign volunteer


The caliber of people he surrounds himself with says alot.

[packetloss]

The caliber of people he surrounds himself with says alot.

Yeah, its easy to judge a politician - Especially one running for the most powerful position in the world - by the volunteers who work for his campaign at some 200 person venue in the middle of bumfuk WV.

Let me ask you this: If you were Mr. Obama (Or Mr.Mcain, Bush, etc) - How many of your camapign volunteers would you have personally vetted?

[vinny_121_ND]

Much ado about nothing.

I still remember that kid backstage at a Bush's speech who began pulling faces and yawning. It was all over the news, a field day for Jon Stewart and all the late night guys, nobody even cared what was the president talking about (not that we usually do, but anyway...) so what's is so terrible about a little vetting here and there? That wouldn't be a first in presidential campaigns.

LOL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdVwnuetumw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdVwnuetumw)

[Bia]

I personally dont wanna see headscarf chicks... they offend my eye as to my standard of normal because I have decided to be open about my lack of concern for superfluous humans wants & desires on a specific cultural level.

It's refreshing not caring what labels others might pin on you. :P
lolZ

[Calanen]

Well come on over man, we got room.

I'd be on the first plane if I could be.

[Calanen]

1. There already are morons all around the country who say he's a muslim.


He's not a muslim now, but he was certainly raised as one. School documents for Barak Obama list his religion as muslim.

Not that it matters so much except, why cover things up? Shouldnt the American public expect honesty and candour from their candidates?

[duhblow7]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Either way he was going to take heat.

i came on here to post the whole 'damned if you do....' line, but you beat me to it.

[Power_serj]

Some crazy Conservative with a radio show would start going off on how a bunch of Muslims were supporting him who belong to Al Qaeda and that this is evidence that he wants to make America into a Muslim country and obey by Sharia Law. I don't blame the staffers at all, and the Muslims should understand this. I don't feel anyone should go out of their way to make these people feel good because they are different if it means risking his chances. (OMG, did I just defend Obama?)

[Lambert58]

Some crazy Conservative with a radio show would start going off on how a bunch of Muslims were supporting him who belong to Al Qaeda and that this is evidence that he wants to make America into a Muslim country and obey by Sharia Law. I don't blame the staffers at all, and the Muslims should understand this. I don't feel anyone should go out of their way to make these people feel good because they are different if it means risking his chances. (OMG, did I just defend Obama?)

No you defended common sense. Not even nearly the same thing.

[Calanen]

LOL.


http://www.youtube.com/v/EdVwnuetumw



Embed fail...4tw!

[Lambert58]

Embed fail...4tw!

thanks for reposting some useless hate george bush bullsh*t.

you couldn't just let it go.

[Calanen]

thanks for reposting some useless hate george bush bullsh*t.

you couldn't just let it go.

Lighten up Francis!

[noname]

Yeah, its easy to judge a politician - Especially one running for the most powerful position in the world - by the volunteers who work for his campaign at some 200 person venue in the middle of bumfuk WV.

Let me ask you this: If you were Mr. Obama (Or Mr.Mcain, Bush, etc) - How many of your camapign volunteers would you have personally vetted?


I am not talking about those low level dip****s. How about his money man Rezko. How about his links to black liberation theology. That is a start. This guy cannot continue to claim ignorance on everything. That is a bad mark, and shows a poor choice of decisions, and it shows poor leadership.

[budgie]

Some campaign spin doctor was obviously afraid that having a couple of girls in headscarves in the camera would cause the right to start jumping up and down and pointing their fingers screaming, "See? See what we told you about him?" That kind of silliness would surely have managed to rear its head just once on these forums, of that i had no doubt.

But it was a stupid fear because the Obama campaign preaches inclusiveness and should know that the sight of a headscarf would neither scare away current supporters nor deter the kind of careful-thinking undecideds that are likely choose a candidate after careful consideration of the issues. They should have just let the girls in.

It would be interesting to see what Obama's personal response is - not giving any would be a mistake.

[Fiber]

John Stewart has a point. The American media seem to focus on non-issues like this instead of focusing on the actual politics. I guess that's what the public wants to hear. After all, politics is boring.