NEW YORK - Barack Obama personally apologised to two Muslim women who were barred from sitting near the Democratic presidential hopeful during a campaign photo, according to a media report Friday. On Monday, campaign volunteers told Shimaa Abdelfadeel and Hebba Aref to leave a Detroit rally or remove their headscarves. "I spoke with Ms Abdelfadeel, and expressed my deepest apologies for the incident that occurred with volunteers at the event in Detroit," Obama said in a statement last night. "The actions of these volunteers were unacceptable and in no way reflect any policy of my campaign." Obama also called Aref and left a voicemail. In his statement, he said, "Our campaign is about bringing people together, and I'm grateful that Ms Abdelfadeel accepted our apology and I hope Ms. Aref and any who were offended accept my apology as well."