SXSW, the renowned film and music festival/conference held in Austin, Texas, issued an official apology after Ibtihaj Muhammad was asked to remove her hijab for a security photo and was then issued credentials with incorrect information.
Muhammad tweeted about her experience:
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 then to add insult to injury, they gave her the wrong ID!
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
Muhammad will make history as the first Muslim American to compete at the Olympics in a hijab, representing the U.S. fencing team, creating representation in a sport not only due to her religious garb but as a black woman in general. “I had a crappy experience checking in,” Muhammad said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “Someone asking me to remove my hijab isn’t out of the norm for me. … Do I hope it changes soon? Yes, every day.”
In a public statement, SXSW stated: “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.”
