Friday March 29th, 2024
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What You Need to Know About The First Ever Muslim Women in US Congress

Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib just made history.

Staff Writer

Two districts in Minnesota and Michigan elect two Muslim women, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, making them the first ever Muslim women to enter US Congress.

Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, celebrated their victories in the primaries earlier this year and now await their secured seats in left-wing districts.

Tlaib is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, a strongly leftist group. The group also endorses new follow congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who also made history by being the youngest woman ever elected to congress at age 29.

Omar’s win has another first alongside being one of the first Muslim women in Congress, as also being the first Somali-American MP. She originally came to the US as a refugee over two decades ago, fleeing war-torn Somalia. She will be taking the seat of the first Muslim ever to be elected into Congress, Minnesota Rep. Kieth Ellison, who plans on running for Minnesota attorney general.

Tlaib will be replacing Michigan Democratic Rep. John Conyers, who resigned from office last year after accusations of sexual misconduct erupted. Tlaib is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants who became the first female member of Michigan’s state legislature ten years ago. She is a progressive who is actively critical of President Donald Trump, leading to an arrest two years ago for disrupting one of his speeches in Detroit.

Congress has only ever had two other Muslim members, who are both men and currently in office: Ellison and Indiana Democratic Rep. Andre Carson.

Main Photo: AFP