Politics | Barack Obama Workers Bar Muslim Women From Obama Backdrop Pair not allowed to sit behind candidate over headscarves; campaign apologizes By Kevin Spak Posted Jun 18, 2008 2:53 PM CDT Copied Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., shakes hands before his speech at Kettering University in Flint, Mich., Monday, June 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Two Muslim women were barred from sitting behind Barack Obama during a rally Monday, with campaign volunteers concerned about headscarves appearing on TV and in pictures, Politico reports. One woman was told the "political climate" made her presence problematic; another was told headwear of any kind was off-limits in the assiduously assembled backdrop. “I felt like I was discriminated against by the very person who was supposed to be bringing this change,” said the woman given the political explanation—for which the campaign has apologized. “An apology from him personally would be better,” she added, but "… I think it would suffice to have an invitation to their next rally and have seats behind him and show up on TV.” Read These Next A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. The death toll in the Texas floods has risen to 27, including 9 kids. A lesson in minding your own business ... at 30,000 feet. See the best BBQ cities in the US. Report an error