Ilhan Omar, defied all odds and resisted the Trump wave to become America’s first Somali-American Muslim woman legislator in the just concluded US elections.
The 34-year-old moved to the U.S. at the age of 12, after four years living in a Kenyan refugee camp following her escape from the Somali civil war.
Omar will now represent the Minneapolis District at the State of Representatives in Minnesota State through the Democrat Party.
“I am so proud of this win because District 60B represents Minnesota at its finest," Ms Omar said.
Ilhan Omar after the elections results were announced in Minneapolis, USA.
(Independent UK)
"My neighbours and everyone here in this room, represents what we as a nation want to be: United in our diversity. Long time residents, East African immigrants and students - we came together and engaged in the political progress. We talked about the issues that concern us and we connected on the future we want to create,” Omar said soon after the elections results were out.
Progressive values
“This district has a legacy of making history. I am excited for our progressive values and to be able to be on the ground at the Capitol representing the diverse people of my district and being a champion with them and for them,” she said.
She went on to say, “Tonight, we are celebrating this win, our win. But our work won’t stop. We will continue to build a more prosperous and equitable district – state and nation – where each and every one of us has opportunities to thrive and move forward together.”
Ilhan Omar ecstatic about her victory after the announcement of the election results in Minnesota. (Chris Juhn)
House Minority Leader Paul Thissen told the Tribune that Omar’s victory “says something important about the future of Minnesota, and what it means to be a Minnesotan.”
President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday warned of the danger posed by Somali migrants in Minneapolis, a deeply segregated city that has the largest Somali-American community in the US.
“Here in Minnesota, you have seen first-hand the problems caused with faulty refugee vetting, with very large numbers of Somali refugees coming into your state without your knowledge, without your support or approval,”Trump told a rally in the solidly Democratic state, two days before the presidential election.
