Clinton Congratulates Muslim Athlete for Competing in Hijab, Ignores Others Who Won Medals
When Ibtihaj Muhammad revealed this week that she would participate in the Olympics while dressed in her Muslim attire, she received a lot of attention.
On Monday, Muhammad, a member of the U.S. fencing team, became the first American Olympian to compete wearing a hijab.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton showed her support for the Muslim athlete by tweeting her congratulations.
In Rio, Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad became the first American Muslim athlete to compete while wearing a hijab. pic.twitter.com/OrRSHnH2Ra
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 8, 2016
However, several people were critical of Clinton’s tweet.
@HillaryClinton ahhh I get it.. Because she's Muslim she gets your support. You're so disgusting.
— Matt G (@Mattygizme) August 8, 2016
@HillaryClinton and that makes us happy……. why???? Oppressing women for any religion is disgusting
— john (@johnd6665) August 8, 2016
Much of the criticism stemmed from the fact that while Clinton congratulated Muhammad for simply competing in a hijab, she declined to acknowledge other American athletes who actually earned medals in Rio de Janeiro.
Muhammad won her debut match against Ukraine athlete Olena Kravatska but then was defeated by Cecilia Berder of France.
The first U.S. gold medal was won Saturday by 19-year-old Ginny Thrasher, who competed in the 10-meter air rifle event. She received no congratulations from Clinton. Instead, many on the left complained about the fact that an Olympic event involves the use of firearms.
@HillaryClinton Did you congratulate the woman that won the 1st Gold Medal of the Olympics, Ginny Thrasher? No? Why not Hillary?
— Cheri Armstrong (@Biloximeemaw) August 8, 2016
Clinton did, however, issue a tweet Monday congratulating swimmer Katie Ledecky on her gold medal win.
Last night, swimmer @KatieLedecky won gold and broke her own world record in the 400m freestyle. Congrats, Katie! pic.twitter.com/db79swBbOr
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 8, 2016
Although Muhammad was eliminated from competition, she had a positive attitude afterward, saying, “There is that silver lining in the sense that you do have that team event. I know that the Americans didn’t perform in the way that we wanted, but I love my team, I love my teammates and I believe in them.”
Muhammad was in the news earlier in the week when she made the comment that she thought Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s words were “very dangerous.” (For more from the author of “Clinton Congratulates Muslim Athlete for Competing in Hijab, Ignores Others Who Won Medals” please click HERE)
Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.
