Rashida Tlaib 1st Muslim Congresswoman

Both women — Ilhan Omar, 37, and Rashida Tlaib, 42 — are Democrats from the Midwest and outspoken advocates of minority communities that have found themselves in the sights of US President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant policies.

TWO Muslim American congresswomen officially WIN last night.

Congratulations to Rashida Tlaib out of Michigan, and Ilhan Omar out of Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/ZwR0LzSsyV

— Anasthasia Sadrach (@duchessnastya) November 7, 2018

Omar won a House seat in a strongly Democratic district in Minneapolis, Minnesota, succeeding Keith Ellison who was himself the first Muslim ever elected to Congress.

Tlaib’s victory was no surprise.  The Detroit-born daughter of Palestinian immigrants – the eldest of 14 children – emerged as the winner of a Democratic primary for a seat vacated by John Conyers, a longtime liberal lion who stepped down in December amid sexual harassment allegations and failing health.

The IMEU@theIMEU

Last night Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib was elected to the United States Congress, making the first Palestinian American to be elected to this position. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/its-official-palestinian-american-rashida-tlaib-elected-congress-400750219 …

With no Republican challenger in the race, Tlaib’s election on Tuesday became a formality.

During her tearful primary election victory speech in August, with her immigrant mother by her side, she said relatives in the West Bank were watching her success.

She said:

“It just shows how incredibly wonderful our country can be”.