Obama’s Volunteers Shun Muslims from Television Audience
Muslim Barack Obama Fans Told to Hide from Television Cameras
So apparently, some Hijabis were sitting in special seats at Obama’s Detroit rally and one of them was asked to sit somewhere else and another was asked to take her headscarf off. Now, the underlying reason is probably because these volunteers didn’t want Obama to be associated with “Islam” again, but it behooves the American Muslim community to apply pressure on Obama to strongly condemn these actions. While fear of Islam and Muslims may be justifiable due to the war on terror, fear of Muslim elites who are integrated into mainstream American society is inappropriate.
Many people constantly decry the Muslim community from “failing to integrate” and for allegedly being “insular” and not adhering to Western values, but here we have two sisters who represent the best of their communities and are fully integrated into mainstream American democratic culture. These two sisters, whether they recognize it or not, are symbols of the success of the American Muslim community and those symbols need to be presented in the media, not castigated or denuded.
My suggestion is to contact the Obama campaign and let them know that you’d like a clear statement from the Senator on this occurrence with the reassurance that it won’t happen again.
Here’s a sample response:
To Whom It May Concern:
Dear Sir or Madame,
I came across a disturbing news report from the Telegraph today that reported that two Muslim women were barred from sitting behind Senator Obama at a rally on in Detroit on Monday. While I understand that he is constantly being attacked by being associated with Islam or Muslims, this doesn’t justify preventing mainstream American Muslims from being associated with his campaign. I would like to see an statement from the Senator himself regarding this issue to make it absolutely clear that he will not tolerate Islamophobia from anyone - whether it is from fear-mongerers or people within his own campaign.
Sincerely,
Published June 18, 2008 . Filed under: American Islam and Muslims
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Salaams,
I’m covering this on Islam on My Side (www.islamonmyside.com). Could I republish this post there? Please let me know at submissions@islamonmyside.com. And/or if you have anything else you’d like to send me way, please let me know!
June 19, 2008 @ 9:04 am
As-Salaam Alikium “Peace be unto You”, I am very sad on the actions of one of Sen Obama’s volunteers.
As a Muslim American of African desent I am amazed that Sen Obama has not reached out to the Muslim community. From him we hear the feel good message but I’M starting to think that his feel good message is for all but Muslims.
I would not put all the blame on the volunteer but most important there are people in his inner circle that this type of action are filtering from.
He talks about bringing the nation together but by ignoring the Muslim community he is saying we are not apart of this nation.
I am starting to wonder which two, Sen John McCain or Sen Barack Obama is the lesser of two evils. All we ask is that you be fair to us.
Salaam
June 19, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Wa alaikum assalam
I think the point that needs to be made is that the American Muslim community can no longer sit on the sidelines and let elites govern the discourse on our faith and community. We should really apply pressure to Obama and his campaign to make it clear where they stand on Islamophobia. Are American Muslims not part of this nation? Are we not “integrated” “American” or “white” enough to be accepted part of this nation? How many hoops do we have to jump through in order to be considered “integrated”?
This is absolutely ridiculous and I think we should do something about it.
We can’t tolerate being Uncle Toms anymore.
Those are my thoughts on it at least.
masalama
June 19, 2008 @ 2:08 pm