SXSW sorry for demanding Olympian removes her hijab
The SXSW entertainment festival has apologised after one of its volunteers demanded than US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad removes her hijab for a security picture.
On Saturday, Muhammad tweeted about the incident, getting thousands or RTs.
I was just asked to remove my hijab at SXSW Registration for my ID badge.. I can't make this stuff up #SXSW2016
— Ibtihaj Muhammad (@IbtihajMuhammad) March 12, 2016
Even after I explained it was for religious reasons, he insisted I had to remove my hijab for the photo to receive my badge #SXSW2016
— Ibtihaj Muhammad (@IbtihajMuhammad) March 12, 2016
And after the incident she received an ID with a completely incorrect first name.
Thennnnn I was given the wrong ID! From now on my name is Tamir & I work for Time Warner Inc #SXSW2016 pic.twitter.com/TE3jJR16P6
— Ibtihaj Muhammad (@IbtihajMuhammad) March 12, 2016
SXSW released a statement: "It is not our policy that a hijab or any religious head covering be removed in order to pick up a SXSW badge.
“This was one volunteer who made an insensitive request and that person has been removed for the duration of the event. We are embarrassed by this and have apologized to Ibtihaj in person, and sincerely regret this incident.”