Ilhan Omar swore in with her hand on the Quran
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who 23 years ago was a Somali refugee, became the first member of US Congress to wear a hijab in the House of Representatives.
The 37-year-old Minnesota representative tweeted: “As a kid, I acted as my grandfather’s translator at our caucuses and he was the one who first sparked my interest in politics. I wish he could be here to witness this historic moment, but he was here in spirit as I placed my hand on his Quran for the ceremonial swearing in.”
As a kid, I acted as my grandfather’s translator at our caucuses and he was the one who first sparked my interest in politics.
I wish he could be here to witness this historic moment, but he was here in spirit as I placed my hand on his Quran for the ceremonial swearing in. pic.twitter.com/PRNNOPQXuU
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 4, 2019
Omar is one of two Muslim women who were elected to Congress, the other is Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. Although Tlaib didn’t wear a hijab, like Omar, she was sworn in using the Quran.
The House of Representatives now has a record 102 women – this includes a whole new generation of Muslims, Latinos, Native Americans and African Americans.
No one puts a scarf on my head but me. It’s my choice—one protected by the first amendment.
And this is not the last ban I’m going to work to lift. https://t.co/7U3ZLTaWur
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 17, 2018
After she was sworn in, on Thursday, she made a statement saying: “I plan to resist the current Administration’s attempts to divide us and push destructive policies that chip away at our rights and freedoms.
“We have the opportunity to build a more inclusive and compassionate culture, one that will allow our economy to flourish and encourage more Americans to participate in our democracy.”
