Ibtihaj Muhammad was told that her headscarf had to be removed for a security photo, and was then given a pass with another – incorrect – Muslim name

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A member of the USA Fencing World Team was told to remove her hijab by staff at the SXSW festival for a photo on her ID badge, she said on Saturday via Twitter.

Ibtihaj Muhammad, who will be the first US Olympian to wear a hijab, said she explained that she wears the head scarf for religious reasons but the registration authorities insisted she take it off.

When Muhammad, the fencing star who has become one of the most prominent Muslim athletes in US history, finally received the badge, authorities had given her the wrong name but one that sounded Muslim: Tamir.

Ibtihaj Muhammad (@IbtihajMuhammad) 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) 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) 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

The incident will be embarrassing for SXSW, which prides itself on being the annual cultural showpiece for the liberal Texan capital with a rich counter-culture.

SXSW had a similarly embarrassing episode in October when it pulled a discussion on online harassment after threats from an online hate campaign. SXSW later reinstated the discussion and expanded it to become a full-day event on the problem of misogyny, bullying and hate speech online.

Ibtihaj Muhammad: the US fencing star out to challenge intolerance and hate Read more

SXSW said in 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.”

The incident comes at a time when the rhetoric around Muslims in the US has grown increasingly toxic. As Donald Tump’s poll numbers shoot up in Texas, putting him almost at a tie with conservative rival and Texan Ted Cruz, Trump’s stated desire to make a national registry for Muslims in the US and general anti-Muslim rhetoric may be seeing real-world ramifications.



A native of New Jersey and graduate of Duke, 30-year-old Muhammad has corporate sponsors including Visa.