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Obama Reassures Muslim Supporters

Presidential contender Senator Obama moved quickly to reassure his Muslim supporters that the apparent discrimination that occurred at two of his speeches in Michigan “was merely cosmetic and should not be taken as a sign that I do not appreciate the value of their support.”

The charges of discrimination were leveled by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) after Obama campaign workers barred two Muslim women from sitting behind the podium because they did not want the women’s headscarves to be seen in photographs or on television. The women were reportedly told they couldn’t sit behind the podium unless they removed their scarves.

ADC President Mary Rose Oakar and ADC National Executive Director Kareem Shora called the incident “disturbing.” “The wearing of the hijab is a symbol of feminine modesty and religious piety,” Shora declared. “We should be working toward a world where all women are as pure and devout as Muslim women, not shunting these exemplars off into the shadows.”

Senator Obama avowed that he understood their concern, but asked that they “please be patient. There will be a proper time and place for such displays after I am president. Right now, it is important that we exercise restraint lest we convey an impression that might strike an alien and unpleasant chord with the American voter.”