SXSW volunteer let go for asking Muslim to remove hijab to get credentials

Ibtihaj Muhammad, of the United States, celebrates on the podium after winning a bronze medal in a women's team sabre match at the World Fencing Championship in Catania, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. Ibtihaj Muhammad, of the United States, celebrates on the podium after winning a bronze medal in a women's team sabre match at the World Fencing Championship in Catania, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. Photo: Antonio Calanni, AP Photo Photo: Antonio Calanni, AP Photo Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close SXSW volunteer let go for asking Muslim to remove hijab to get credentials 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A South by Southwest volunteer has been dismissed and festival organizers apologized after an U.S. Olympic fencer who is Muslim was asked to remove her headscarf in order to get a credential.

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

South by Southwest registration official Amin Simms said in an emailed statement that it was "an insensitive request" and against the festival's policy to ask Ibtihaj Muhammad to remove her hijab Saturday at the Austin festival. Muhammad couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Simms wrote that festival organizers apologized to Muhammad and that they were embarrassed by the situation.

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

Muhammad is set to compete for the U.S. at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

South by Southwest is a major festival of film, interactive media, and music.