The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room » Muslim Lawmaker Confronted Obama Behind Closed Doors on Head Scarf Gaffe

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June 23, 2008

Muslim Lawmaker Confronted Obama Behind Closed Doors on Head Scarf Gaffe

@ 5:40 pm by Andy Barr

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.

The conversation got so heated that CBC Chairwoman Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-Mich.) banged her gavel to try and quiet Ellison. Obama though asked Kilpatrick to let Ellison speak.

After Ellison finished, Obama told the caucus that he regretted the incident, but said that he had not ordered the women to be removed. Following the meeting, Obama called the women to apologize.

An Ellison spokesman says the meeting satisfied the Minnesota lawmaker's concerns.

Archived under: Campaigns, News, Presidential Campaigns
Tags: Barack Obama, Keith Ellison

63 Comments »

The Hill welcomes comment from anyone and will almost always post it whether it is favorable or critical, as long as it is substantive and advances debate.

Yes. This man was born to govern. He is not intimidated by someone taking him to task. He listens and calmly resolves the matter.
This is just another example of the style of governing Obama will bring to the Presidency of the United States.

Obama '08!!!

Comment by brandy w — June 23, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
When mistakes are made, a leader stands up to it and make apologies. That is what a leader is and Sen. Obama is showing this to the American people who are still asking questions of "What Happened" as McClallens book suggests.
Its not Chistian America, or Muslim America, it is the United State of America. The Repugnant Party should borrow from Sen. Obama what it takes to bring a Nation together.
I just believe if the Repugnant Party had not divided America and painted a particular demographic group as being bad, a young volunteer would not make such a bad decision. The Politics of fear that has been the hallmark of the Repugnant Party, is what is making even well meaning Americans to be seen as "Racist".
Sen. Obama please teach them what they do not know. Leadership…the World and the American people are behind you.

Comment by Chrys — June 23, 2008 @ 6:45 pm
what a bully, first of all the guy has no respect for the office if hes yelling on the senate floor. and second how dare he accuse obama for the situation, he probably jealous. and i goto wayne state university in detroit and my muslim friends took offense with the volunteers not obama so this guy is just a bully and obama is not going to be bullied around by some arrogant man.

http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/mccain-to-host-a-new-reality-game-show/

Comment by coba11 — June 23, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
Keith Ellison has strength of character and integrity. He is a man among men and I am incredibly proud to call him my representative. Barack Obama would be wise to include him in his inner circle. Mr. Ellison is a political up and comer.. Keep your eyes open for him, folks.

Comment by Ruby — June 23, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
It's appropriate that these issues get talked about. It wasn't something Obama did but rather a campaign ad without talking to Obama. Obama has apologized to one of the women (maybe both, I'm not sure) and it will not be repeated. I'm glad Ellison and Obama are on the same page about this because it says something important about the campaign Obama is running that the entire spectrum of America is seen.

As to the fools who make something of it, they would probably make something of Hasidic Jews sitting behind Obama and accuse the candidate of pandering to the Jews. Haters hate. It's their nature but they cannot be humored.

Comment by Karen — June 23, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
I wish the bully go also go on TV and defend Obama against the terrorist fist bump and also against accusations that he is a Muslim . He is a coward.
They dont care about what rumors are running around about Obama nor does he care about anyone else. Shows the anger inside of him .I hope Obama keeps him far from his white house and look for more realistic Muslim. He does not Imagine what the Fox would have do to those young girls if they had appeared on Tv- their lives would have been turned upside down

Comment by clare — June 23, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
i, as well as most americans, do not want to see these 12th century adherents wearing their costumes in our country. they either need to get with the program or get out. THEY need to assimilate into OUR culture. end of story.

Comment by fc — June 23, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
If Obama camp would of left the woman be seated in the backdrop the NEWSPAPERS as well as ALL the MEDIA would of said. OBAMA had terrorists supports.

Comment by mary — June 23, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
OK, fc, I'll agree with you as soon as I see the majority of American Citizens walking around in moccasins.

You, my friend, have assimilated the asinine.

Comment by DragonMama — June 23, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
There are over 7 million American Muslims in the US, and they are going no where. So you better get used to seeing Muslim women with head scarfs, because by no means are you more American than they are.

Most Americans are most definitely NOT xenophobic anti-semitic bigots like some people would like to claim in order to justify their own perverted bias.

Comment by Mark — June 23, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
Good. Obama needed to apologize. He should not be AIPAC'ed into demonizing Muslims. Can you imagine the hysteria and cries of persecution and the whining of victim ideology if it had been Jews that were removed from the picture ? We would never hear the end of it.

Comment by betz — June 23, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
I understand the mistake that was made, but I think that it is really sad that we have made American Muslims to be so terrible that the thought of Obama being Muslim would cause him not to get elected. If he was in a picture with some Muslims, the right wing would point to the picture and say, "I told you he was a Muslim. See right there, he is hanging around with them." I think there is so much pressure on the Obama campaign to defend the fact that he is Christian that his volunteers just became worried about the ladies being behind him. Obama just cannot win for loosing. If he had the women in the picture then he would be a Muslim sympathizer or befriending terrorists. If they were not in the picture then he was discriminating. The problem is not Obama, the problem is the right wing making him paranoid about being called a Muslim. It is just really unfortunate that while trying to distance himself from the idea of being Muslim, he may be offending Muslims which is not what he was trying to do. I don't think he is biased against anyone on earth.

Comment by MichiganCindy — June 23, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
#9- we are talking abut life in america in the year 2008, not 1638. the argument that people did something almost 400 years ago has zero relevance to the issue of entitled 12th century adherents NOT respecting the culture of the country that they moved to from wherever they came. these muslims, like born again wackos, have some very chilling "religious" beliefs. i, and many americans, do NOT want them here.

Comment by fc — June 23, 2008 @ 8:55 pm
Rep Keith Ellison was totally out of line. Once the campaign heard about the incident they apologized. The volunteers thought they were doing what they were suppose to do. They made a mistake. Given the climate of this election cycle, I think any reasonable person would know not to make a big deal out of it. I think Rep Ellison owe Mr. Obama an apology, where is his respect. Matter a fact I think he should apologize publicly for making this go on and on.

Comment by Sharon in Oakland, CA — June 23, 2008 @ 9:00 pm
I believe this incident was unfortunate and Obama has handled it the best way he could….However…as I Black Muslim women….I do not wear my hair covered because it is oppressive…..I dress in a very modest manner and have no plans of every wearing that oppressive head gear…..I feel that Muslim women need to wake up and stop allowing men to dictate how they should dress…….no where in the Quran does it say that women should dress the way these women dress…….oppressive.

Comment by Musheera — June 23, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
[...] The Hill: When Barack Obama apologized in person last week to two women at a rally in Detroit wearing head [...]

Pingback by Don’t stand so close to me « hopperbach — June 23, 2008 @ 9:07 pm
Uh, FC, if what a majoority of Americans want should govern who is allowed to live here, I say we put it to a vote. All in favor of deporting head scarf wearing women? How many in favor of sending FC back to 1920 Mississippi in a time machine? Sorry, FC … you're disrespect for American culture — like the Constitution makes you the odd bigot out. Nice knowing you.

Comment by UrsaMM — June 23, 2008 @ 9:54 pm
Senator Obama when informed heard the comments and took the appropriate action. This is why he is a leader…..He can deal with criticism and act appropriately. The racists possibly Republicans will not say the N word because that can be seen as illegal, but Muslim, there is no law against that due to the existing war situation. Nevertheless, it doesn't matter what they say right now, because the world is watching the next election of a great man, President Barack Obama.

Comment by H Arnold — June 23, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
The Real Issue is the way the future president Barack Obama handled the issue….he listened and made a decision….he called and personally apologized and you can believe he told his campaign not to be involved in this type of activity…..This is what America needs, someone who can make the right decision……Now the other issues….economy, the War in Iraq, the trillions in debt, the money spent on the War, unemployment, Katrina, no infrastructure due to Federal monies that are used to fight the war (i.e. Iowa-Illinois-Missouri's flooding from the Mississippi River; No Child Left Behind with over 50% high school dropout rate in many American cities; real estate foreclosures, corporate bankruptcies, increase airline costs, increased food costs, higher and higher gasoline costs, lead-based toys, poisoned dog food, salmonella tomatoes (where was the Bush Administration FDA); Veterans hospital fiasco in the neighborhood of the White House; etc. etc.

I have to stop because the more I write the more we need to keep the Republicans out of the White House…..

Comment by The Real Issue — June 23, 2008 @ 10:22 pm
I am so concerned with the way America is looking to Obama to be accountable to each and every "special" group. The incident in Michigan was wrong. But being a volunteer, and having said something innocent that was taking out of context by other Obama supporters, I can understand the volunteers trying to steer away from ANYTHING that gives the appearence of being contraversal.
I think we have to be very careful not to ask of Obama what we would NEVER ask of another candidate. African Americans want him to be MORE sensitive to our needs, Jewish Americans want him to prove his sensitivities to thier communities (ABOVE) what they are asking of the republican candidate, Librals want a piece of him, supporters of Hillary Clinton want him to extra sensitive to them.
He's only a man for goodness sake!
I want him to win because HE IS THE ONE, and I accept he will disappointment at times. I am proud he accepts his mistakes and shows judgement and leadership to address them. Thats all I can ask of him

WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR

Comment by How much can one man give? — June 23, 2008 @ 11:16 pm
I THINK HE SHOULD BE YELLING AT THOSE RADICAL REPUBLICANS THAT ARE TRYING TO SMEAR FAITH AS A MUSLIM INSTEAD OF CHRISTIAN. I THINK THE RADICAL RIGHT. ITS NOBODT ELSE SPREADING THOSE HORRIBLE RUMORS BUT RADICAL RIGHT WING REPUBLICANS. HERE IT IS THEIR ATTACKING MICHELLE OBAMA FOR HER COMMENTS ABOUT BEING PROUD OF HER COUNTRY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER ADULT LIFE AND MCCAIN HAS SAID HE DIDN'T LOVE AMERICA UNTIL HE WAS A PRISONER OF WAR BUT THATS NOT PLAYED ALL DAY OR BLOGGED ABOUT AT ALL. THERE IS A MEDIA BIAS. WHAT THE MEDIA IS LETTING HAPPEN TO MICHELLE OBAMA IS SIMULAR TO WHAT MCCAIN HAS SAID BUT THERES NO EYEBROWS RAISED BECAUSE MCCAIN SAID IT BUT NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES MICHELLE EXPLAINS HER COMMENTS IT STICKS. THEN YOU HAVE MCCAIN'S ADVISOR, CHARLIE BLACK SAYING A TERROR ATTACK WILL HELP MCCAIN WIN AND ELECTION AND MCCAIN DID SEEK THE SPOTLIGHT IN 2007 DURING THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES WHEN THE WOMAN IN THE MIDDLE EAST DIED. THIS COMMENT AND STRATEGY BY THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN ISN'T TALKED ABOUT ALL DAY EVERYDAY LIKE OBAMA OPTING OUT OF PUBLIC FINANCING. JUST LIKE ALL OF MCCAINS FLIP FLOPS THAT GETS LITTLE TO NO SCRUTINY. THE MEDIA SHOULD KEEP IT REAL.

Comment by JANICE — June 23, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
Very Well Said, its like people cannot appreciate the fact that what this man is doing more than anything,is giving the power back to the people so that collectively they can really make a difference for themselves, their families and most of all their futures.

Comment by Believe Again — June 23, 2008 @ 11:36 pm
Perhaps, in the future Rep. Ellison might remember to keep his anger under control and realize that Sen. Obama is taking a lot of crap from the Republican liars that appear like clockwork in every election. Obviously, if Rep. Ellison wants to achieve very much in the House, it would be to his advantage to work in a Democratic Administration and not one even more corrupt than the one that envelops us currently.

Comment by Totto — June 23, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
As someone who has volunteered for the Obama rally that was in St. Paul, MN, I've seen how the campaign operates. They are professional and a well oiled machine. We were all given instructions on how to do our job and it was explained to us that it was important to be professional at all times because our actions could POTENTIALLY EMBARRASS THE CAMPAIGN. Now I understand what they meant.

Comment by LettuceB1 — June 24, 2008 @ 12:07 am
I think Keith Ellison was right to be upset. This was behind closed doors, so who cares if he yelled a little bit? It shows that Rep. Ellison is passionate and willing to stand up even to the likely next president from his party and it shows what kind of man Barack Obama is in that he listened and accepted fair criticism instead of Bush-style insulation or a McCain-style temper-tantrum.

I think we should all be concerned about the narrative that is developing that calling Obama a Muslim is a "smear." If someone calls you a Muslim or Jew, the response should be "so what if I was?" The racist/xenophobic/intolerant intention to use a minority religious group as a "smear" should be called out as the bigotry it is, though. Obama should say that while he is a Christian, if anyone would not vote for him if he were a Muslim, he doesn't want their support.

Comment by Brendan M, — June 24, 2008 @ 12:07 am
The whole thing was a set up. Just like the Flying Imams.

Comment by Connie — June 24, 2008 @ 12:41 am
FC, surely you jest. Are you saying that muslims who choose to wear traditional religious garb should leave the USA? Are you kidding me? Such a proposition is anti-American. We have freedom to express our religious beliefs (or lack of such) as we please, without fear of intimidation or persecution. You DO realize that this nation was founded on such principles, right? For you to suggest that muslims should abandon their religious garb or else leave the country is beyond absurd. Would you also require orthodox Jews to do the same? What about Hindus? Should they also take off their turbans or else face deportation?

Get a grip for crying out loud.

Comment by Chima Ordu — June 24, 2008 @ 12:44 am
Obama is in a difficult position. Right now Sean Hannity is blasting Obama for a 2004 speech when Obama said we are not "just" a Christian nation. The conclusion, Obama is a terrible person we cannot trust to be President.

A friend with a masters degree in psychology told me she could not vote for Obama because of his Muslim ancestry. It made me very angry. I find there are more people against Obama because of fear that he is a Muslim than because he is African-American.

I am hopeful that people are far better than 20 years ago when Obama would never have been our candidate.

Comment by Kay — June 24, 2008 @ 12:50 am
I think this needed to come out. It played out just right. Obama should've been stood up when his rivals, pundits and others first started accusing him of being Muslim. I think whenever a politician says "We will not discriminate -whether black/white, male/female, catholic/protestant", they should include Muslim in the statement, especially since being Muslim has become an outcast in America's political arena.

Comment by Ro — June 24, 2008 @ 1:02 am
FC displays exactly the kind of thinking the "More Muslim than Obama" site makes fun of.

http://www.moremuslimthanobama.com/moremuslimthanobama

Comment by tnaylort — June 24, 2008 @ 1:20 am
Is this America or some other country - america means land of the free - pracitise what you want wear what your want eat what you want and free speech to all
Now for those of you who are trying to deny other follow americans their constitutional rights becasue they dress and practise a different way and becuasue they are muslim than you are the ones who need to live the country since you do not belive in the constitutional rights of others - this is the land of the free and since you do not belive in the freedom of this country not the muslims who are excersing their constitutional rights - grow up the time and age for bigotry is over - the young people of this country do not have to live with your immerese hate who cares what people practise expect ofcourse the haters!

Comment by amy — June 24, 2008 @ 3:04 am
Muslims should concentrate on campaigning against the right for its demonizing.

Comment by TJ — June 24, 2008 @ 4:17 am
#32 and 33 I could not agree more.

What do the bigots mean by "our culture" anyway? Mtv culture or deep south culture? san franciscan culture or west virginian culture? Californian beach town culture or Lubbock,TX culture?

Get a grip!

Comment by Mark — June 24, 2008 @ 6:41 am
I would ask him to apologize for what the Muslims did on 911 then. Obama had nothing to do with what those VOLUNTEERS did and still took time to address the problem. The Muslim killers thought that they were doing the right thing as bad as it was and they felt that they were doing it for the good of all Muslims just like these volunteers did for Obama. Obama never even met any of these people so how can he be held responsible. This guy is trying to get Obama to bow down to the Muslims and get some air time out of this. What a Muslim jerk he is.

Comment by Donald — June 24, 2008 @ 7:41 am
Keith Ellison has been apologist for a lot of extremism within Islam and on the left. He has basically insisted Hillary Clinton not be included on the ticket in the Fall, which will be a huge mistake. But it begs the question of who is running the show. Barback Obama or Keith Ellison.

Barack Obama will make a fine President , but he needs to stand up the men like Ellison if he is going to unifdy the Party come November..

Comment by Paul — June 24, 2008 @ 8:22 am
Not give me this stuff about I had better get used to Moslems in head scarfs. I don't have to get used to anything. I was born here and my family has been here for 4 generations.

Moslems need to get used to the fact that we live in a free society where we worship the way we want to but we obey civil law not Islamic Law. We preach tolerance not intolerance. When Moslems allow text books in schools that preach hatred for non Moslems and more so that it is ok to kill or take their property of non Moslems, that is totally unacceptable.

Maybe Rep. Ellison should confront that reality before he starts making demands of Senator Obama..

Comment by Paul — June 24, 2008 @ 8:28 am
What we have to realize is that Sure Senator Obama is an accomplished person. Worked hard and attained certain things in life and should be commended for it. The fact is that he is still an African American albeit 50% of him and there will always be a double standard for him. This is the very sad but honest truth. The man is really damned if he does or damned if he doesn't. I salute him for how he has handled things so far because he is indeed carrying a heavy burden.

Comment by Fitz — June 24, 2008 @ 9:17 am
As someone who voted for him I don't think Ellison is that impressive as a congressman. While I was at the June 3rd Obama rally in St. Paul. About 15 to 20 Ellison volunteers cut in line and because of that 15 to 20 people did not get to witness history, that night.

I don't think he has done too much for us either. Politicians in MN have a thing with trying to carry the Wellstone torch. Most of them end up looking stupid.

Comment by Minnesota — June 24, 2008 @ 9:55 am
First the loan-that was a bone head decision!Next my staff signed for me but I forgot to repudiate it,interesting. Then his Pastor, then his Church; next Nafta and Canada. then Jerusalem, first a free city then Not. Next talking immediately with terrorists leaders,followed by Not; Now FISA.On to withdrawal from Iraq, but not immediately-fire Samanta for telling that one to the press.Then I will sign to use public funds for general election now Not. Now the women with the scarfs. How many times must a man turn around?The Obama One Step-The FLIP- The sound of one shoe walking

Comment by Andrew O'Donnell — June 24, 2008 @ 9:57 am
Dear Fitz
I suppose that is why he does, then he doesn't.

Comment by Andrew O'Donnell — June 24, 2008 @ 10:00 am
"Muslims should concentrate on campaigning against the right for its demonizing." - You know, you're probably right. The thing is, we have and we are, but it doesn't really hit the mainstream news as widely.

I'm always so confused when I read comments saying that Muslims in the US approve of terrorism tactics and they aren't doing anything to denounce it. We're certainly not doing enough since so many seem to think we do sympathize with that hateful idiocy, but we're trying! The hateful barbarism of 9/11 is NOT in any way a reflection of Islam, terrorism is not a reflection of Islam, and we absolutely denounce it, as Muslims but more importantly as Americans who refuse to see our beloved country and our innocent countrymen and women harmed by warped hatred. The thing is, our denouncing never gets traction. And so you're right that we have to keep on letting our position be heard.

"these muslims, like born again wackos, have some very chilling "religious" beliefs. i, and many americans, do NOT want them here." - Honestly though, our religious beliefs are really not that different. I grew up with the same stories of Adam/Eve, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, even many of the same stories of Jesus. The point of our religion, like any religion, is to inspire us to be better human beings and good human beings. And that's what the majority of Muslims find in their faith, the ones who really understand it at least.

I have to say though, if Islam were really about what a lot of the public thinks its about, I'd be frightened as hell too! Good thing it's not, and is in fact no where near those notions. But you're right about the fact that Muslim countries need to stop disseminating twisted information in their textbooks and I think Muslims would be on the forefront of complaining about the conditions and perverted laws and cultural practices that take place in Muslim societies throughout. All that needs to change, because it's wrong and completely apart from what the actual tradition teaches.

I get that it's strange to see a woman with a headscarf. I'd imagine that it's weirder to be that woman in a headscarf who's just an average gal growing up on the same TV shows, music, culture, movies, as you are, and be seen like you're a foreigner who doesn't speak English or has warped views and sensibilities.

The fact is, the world's a big place that in the past century or so has gotten smaller and forced people to get to know each other and each other's cultures. It'd be boring if we were all the same. And it's kinda beautiful that we aren't, but we actually kinda are.

Comment by mL — June 24, 2008 @ 10:12 am
#37 I thought we were talking about American Muslims whose kids go to school with your kids and study the same text books as all other American kids, not Muslim kids in Saudi Arabia who have different text books. Did you just wake up?

Plus, how exactly do you "preach tolerence"? which is quite obvious from your post!

And yes, you better get used to seeing Muslim women with headsvarves because there is not a thing you can do about it.

May I also suggest that you dont ever try visiting London or Paris or Amsterdam, because you would see one of them at least every five minutes.

Comment by Mark — June 24, 2008 @ 10:35 am
Obama should have said: "Hey Keith when you lead a demonstration denouncing terrorists attacks by muslim groups and denounching the terroirst group CAIR, I'll apologize."

Comment by Roberto — June 24, 2008 @ 11:11 am
I think what matters regarding the muslim community is what is in their heads NOT ON IT. Some of the people in these comments are such bigots. Likewise, Muslims should not expect non-muslims to dress like them when going abroad.

There is a thing called respect..respect for values and customs. Muslims can dress how they choose but they should help their neighbors, vote and pay taxes and serve their communities..oh WAIT they already do that. They are your cab drivers, your doctors, your lawyers and your social workers.

Comment by sam — June 24, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
I don't know why r u guys angry with Keith Ellison … He did have the right to do wat he did… remember he was an Obama supporter from the start, B4 most of u jumped on the bus… when u r supporting someone that doesnt mean u agree with everything he/she does, matter of fact u r a better supporter when u tell him that u went wrong here and there … And he did it behind closed doors …
#44u don't know wat u r talking about .. do u? Keith did denounce terrorism over and over again … but u don't hear about that because wat makes news are the stuff that ppl like fc want to hear … "the terroirst group CAIR"??? CAIR which is Council on American-Islamic Relations with their headquartered in Washington, D.C.. ..wat? where? yes that "terroirst group CAIR" meets and work with all American politicians, Bill Clinton and Bush are just examples…

Comment by KY — June 24, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Ellison should shut the hell up. What a self-important gasbag. Jeez, what is it about Obama that makes everyone so ready to assault him over things that aren't under his control? Keith Ellison, get a life and pay attention to something of actual importance. This grandstanding is so, so tiresome.

Comment by Ben Jenkins — June 24, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
It's a shame that those of you who think that Obama's campaign apology is better than Obama's himself. Sad to tell you but THEY aren't running IN this campaign. Just thougth I'd remind you of that, again. And speaking of reminding, you might see that he only said he would apologize, and you call him a leader. Actually, the fact that he was NOT going to, and when he called that it was not an actual apology, but another 'regret', like a mispoken word, should be noted. IF these 2 women accepted that type of apology was there individual choice.

Comment by Diane** — June 24, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
#47….actual importance? another 'thats not important' answer. And please reframe from using the word 'grandstanding' in oposition, when it comes to Obama, pleeese? Its like, calling the kettle 'purple' Example of both: Pres. Seal!

Comment by Diane** — June 24, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
I am an black American muslim, and I feel appauled when people such as FC and others try to drive a wedge between our constitutional right to freedom of worship and our citizenship. For your info Muslims helped build this country, you see a good number of the slaves whose free labor built this great nation of ours. And we are going nowhere!

Comment by Ahmad — June 24, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
The man is damned if he do and damned if he doesn't. These rightwing idiots are the ones making it seems as if it's a bad thing to be muslim in this country. I understand both sides, but Obama has to get to the whitehouse to make changes. Obama is is mixed race and was raised by his white grandparents after his mother died, has enough prejuice to fight against without taking up someone else cause. There is nothing wrong with being muslim, one of my very best friend and her entire family is muslim, I take it as opportunity to learn, but these hateful people are associating Obama with the people that blew up the world trade centers, they are not making a difference between middle eastern people or people who are muslim by religion. Obama didn't ask the women not to sit behind him, his volunteers did and they thought they were doing what was right because of all the lies people are telling on the man. So the muslim people needs to give him a break, he is not the one in the wrong.It will only feed into the lies.

Comment by Sheila — June 24, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
[...] In The Works? Via Ta-Nehisi Coates comes some interesting stuff on Obama's somewhat strained relationship with the American Muslim community: When Barack Obama apologized in person last week to two women [...]

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[...] almost certainly not going to vote for him anyway. He didn't even change course until Ellison called him out in a closed-door meeting with Congressional Black [...]

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My problem with Muslim headscarves is that as soon as Muslims become a majority they persecute women who do not wear headscarves. There was a reason the French banned them other than to just annoy Muslims. The Muslim men were making life hell on women who did not wear them, and Muslims are hardly a majority in France — just oppressive.

There are some groups which are much preferred as minorities rather than majorities: Evangelicals, Catholics, Mormons, Muslims, _____ (add your favorite group here).

Comment by Freedom from Religion — June 25, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
I really don't see the big deal. There have been rallies and photos where Barack Obama has has Head Covering Women right there. People just want to jump on things to me. Don't believe me, then why isn't anyone caring if John McCain or B. Barr reaching out to the Muslim community.

Comment by MyEyesAreWatching — June 25, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
I am 28 yr old AMERICAN. Born and raised in good "christian" schools. Listened to the same music, wore the same cloths, and talked the same talk and I've never been to the middle east, but low and be hold I BECAME A MUSLIM. I'm so tired of people screaming obsentieties at me and telling me to "go back to my own country"or "if you wanna be an american,dress like an american" I AM AN AMERICAN AND THIS IS MY COUNTRY YOU STUPID BIGOTS. FYI: Not every muslim you see is "middle eastern." Many of us are people you went to high school with or grew up down the street from and ended up choosing a different path. I doesnt make us un-American,opressed,or any other preconcieved notion you have. We cover our heads because we belive God ordered us to do so, it has nothing to do with "culture." My culture is AMERICAN. And for all those people who wondering this summer and every summer "is'nt she hot wearing all that stuff?" Yes, we are but we believe that hell is a whole lot hotter! Sleep on that.

Comment by Misty — June 25, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
This is going to be an ugly campaign.

First they cast him as the black candidate.

Then he wasn't pro-Israel enough, even though he basically circumcised himself in front of AIPAC.

Now he's circumcised and they're saying he's a Muslim…..as if there were something wrong with that.

You white people, particularly you Southern evangelicals, are crazy!

Man, I'm an American Muslim, and after 9/11, Iraq, Obama is a Muslim-gate….I realize I'm the only true Republican around: pro-life, realist foreign policy, civil libertarian, and pro-family values.

Comment by Hussain — June 25, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
[...] women wearing head scarves from the background of an Obama rally. And things escalated when Ellison confronted Obama about it at a meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus: Ellison confronted Obama last Thursday during a [...]

Pingback by The Case for Obama’s Allegiance « Freedom Fighters United — June 26, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
please, the idea of seeing a ghetto tongued black woman roaming the streets of say, philadelphia, wearing a burka is preposterous and a display of complete obstinance. period. i'm tired of these wacko "religions" thinking that somehow the world revolves around accomodating your psychotic beliefs. a head to toe burka, on a woman, in the united states of america in 2008? give me a break. and you gay-hating "worshippers" show no accomodation for gay americans or others, yet somehow you're "religion" and religious garb are so special. get with it or get out.

Comment by fc — June 26, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
Wow, thats quite a lot of racism and intolerance.

fc, are the Mormons accomodating of gays? No? What about Baptists? Even less? Catholics? Nah. Why do you single out Muslims?

Millions of American Muslims, actually more educated than the national average, and you try to make blanketly false statements. Shame on you.

Comment by Sulayman — June 27, 2008 @ 2:37 am
Obama volunteers do what they are told.

Comment by misspris — July 1, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
Obama spammers are being sued! hip-hip-hooray!

Comment by misspris — July 1, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
This is not a hate speech or any attacks. It is my conclusion after seeing born agains in action and forcing their beliefs on the weak and naive. Lord knows when Christ was on this earth he did not practice this.

Born agains are freaks plain and simple.

They have been brainwashed to the point they will lie, cheat, and sneak to get what they want in business, with friends and family, and slaughter you with THEIR view of the Bible. They prey on the under educated (Africa is a favorite target), jail birds (meetings with those in jail), naive teens in their development stages of making informed judgments, and anyone else who is an easy target. They all hate Catholics…I've even read about a born again mission to Ireland to rescue women that were forced to be nuns! These people are wacked! In comparison they are as dangerous to a society as Hitler's Gestapo was in Europe.

When you run into one, don't be nice since that is one of their sneaky tactics and run as far way from them as you can. If you are in a store or in line to purchase something, drop it and tell the manager on your way out you don't want to shop there because of born again freaks solicitation on their premise.

The born again club/society has gone far enough. God only speaks to BA's, only BA's will go to heaven, and on and on with their hypocrisy. Since they are brainwashed to the danger point, it is hard or impossible to stop them. Any engagement with them is usually fruitless because they are so clever and manipulative and have so many HIDDEN agendas. You can not trust them in any way, form shape, or matter. Period.

Comment by Born Right — September 22, 2008 @ 6:49 pm

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June 23, 2008

Muslim Lawmaker Confronted Obama Behind Closed Doors on Head Scarf Gaffe

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