Film festival apologizes after asking Olympic fencer to remove her hijab
March 15, 2016
308 1 minute read
US Olympic fencing star was asked to remove her headscarf in order to obtain a pass
A South by Southwest film festival volunteer has been sacked and organizers have apologized after an US Olympic fencing star was asked to remove her headscarf in order to obtain a pass.
Registration official Amin Simms said it was “an insensitive request” and against the festival’s policy to ask Ibtihaj Muhammad to remove her hijab at the event in Austin, Texas.
Ibtihaj Muhammad, 30, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Ms. Simms said festival organizers were embarrassed by the situation and apologized to Ms. Muhammad.
The fencer will be competing for the US at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this summer.
South by Southwest is a major festival of film and interactive media.
