Rashida Tlaib is poised to make political history
A Palestinian woman is expected to become the first ever Muslim woman elected to Congress.
Earlier last month,Rashida Tlaib, the Detroit-based daughter of Palestinian immigrants won a Democratic primary election to represent Michigan’s 13 district, where she won 38% of the vote.
As she is running unopposed following the primary, it is all but confirmed that she will take the congressional seat. The position was previously held by John Conyers, who resigned following sexual harassment allegations.
“I’m going to be a woman, a mom, a Muslimah, a Palestinian, an Arab and so many of these other layers of those identities depending on who I’m talking to and what they want to identify me as,” Tlaib said after winning the primary vote.
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Just two Muslims currently serve in Congress: Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Andre Carson of Indiana.
Tlaib isn’t the only Muslim woman to make history. Ilhan Omar became the first Somali-American Muslim woman to win in Minnesota last month. The 36-year-old was a former refugee who arrived in the U.S. when she was a child.
.@IlhanMN I can’t wait to walk onto the floor of United States Congress hand in hand with you. So incredibly proud of you. pic.twitter.com/KEkhUBE6OQ
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 15, 2018
The pair have since received praise from the American Muslim community.
“Rashida and Ilhan’s wins are huge for the Muslim American community,” said Wardah Khalid, founder and president of the Poligan Education Fund, which seeks to encourage Muslims to become more involved with Congress. “As a fellow Muslim woman, I’m inspired by them and know millions across the world feel the same.”
Congrats!
Images: Instagram
