Ilhan Omar Becomes First Muslim Woman To Wear Hijab On Floor of US House of Representatives – [See Pictures]

Since 1837, the US Constitution prohibits the wearing of any form of head covering or hats in the floor of Congress. During the US mid-term elections of 2018, among the newly elected members of Congress were Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib making them the first female Muslims to be elected to the US Congress.

Upon her election as the Democratic Representative for Minnesota, Ilhan Omar, who is always seen in her head covering, pledged to ensure the ban on head covering on the floor of Congress would be lifted.

She tweeted: “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.”

Among the set of rules proposed by the Democrats, who are now in control of Congress, is changing of the ban on head coverings to one that excludes only “non-religious” headwear.

This change, will allow Ilhan Omar to wear the hijab as a practice of her Islamic faith, while she is on the floor of the House participating in Congressional activities.
On Thursday, Jan 3, Ilhan Omar made history as she became one of the first two Muslim women to enter Congress with her head covered. In addition, she was joined by her fellow first Muslim woman, Rashida Tlaib, and were together sworn in on the Qur’an by Nancy Pelosi. While being sworn in, Ilhan Omar held in her palm, the Islamic prayer beads.

 Quick Recap: Who is Ilhan Omar?

Ilhan Omar is a 37 year old American Congresswoman who migrated to the US 23 years ago as a refugee from Somalia. She was elected as the Representative of the 5th district of Minnesota which includes all of Minnesota and some of its suburb.