Ibtihaj Muhammad said Saturday that a South by Southwest official “insisted” she remove her head covering, despite her protesting she wears the garment for religious reasons.

An internationally ranked saber fencer on Saturday said that she was made to remove her hijab in order to take a photo for a badge at the South by Southwest (SXSX) festival in Austin, Texas.

Facebook / Via Facebook: ibtihajmuhammadusa

"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."

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