Obama apologises to Muslim women

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WASHINGTON, June 20 (AFP): White House hopeful Barack Obama personally apologised Thursday to two Muslim women after campaign volunteers barred them from appearing in a picture because of their headscarves.

Obama spoke by telephone with Shimaa Abdelfadeel and left a message to Hebba Aref after Muslim leaders urged the Democrat to personally apologise to the women. The campaign has blamed the incident on volunteers who, during a rally in Detroit, Michigan Monday told the two Muslim women they could not stand behind Obama because of their "hijab" headgear.