This was simply was an action taken (wrongly) by overzealous volunteers. So Why does the writer bring up this episode? Did he not know that Obama personally apologized for it and invited them to appear at another rally with him? Either it’s sloppy journalism or, more likely, a lame attempt to smear Obama to try and back his (the writers) point. And once again, President Obama has sent a envoy to the region to help secure the ceasefire and called President Abbas in his first week in office, the writer should note that is indeed real change.
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Barack Obama personally apologized Thursday to two Detroit-area women who were barred from sitting behind him during a campaign rally because they wore Islamic headscarves.
Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the Democratic presidential hopeful spoke by phone with Shimaa Abdelfadeel and apologized to her. Walid also says Obama left a voicemail for the other woman, Hebba Aref.
Obama released a statement Thursday evening, confirming that he “reached out” to the two women.
“I spoke with Ms. Abdelfadeel, and expressed my deepest apologies for the incident that occurred with volunteers at the event in Detroit,” he said. “The actions of these volunteers were unacceptable and in no way reflect any policy of my campaign. I take deepest offense to and will continue to fight against discrimination against people of any religious group or background. Our campaign is about bringing people together, and I’m grateful that Ms. Abdelfadeel accepted our apology and I hope Ms. Aref and any who were offended accept my apology as well.”
Aref said Wednesday that Obama campaign volunteers had invited them to sit behind the podium during a Monday rally for the Illinois Senator at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. But she said they were told that women wearing hijabs, the traditional Muslim head scarves, couldn’t sit behind the podium — and in front of TV cameras.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic…-apology_N.htm