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Ilhan Omar

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Ilhan Omar
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 60B district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded byPhyllis Kahn
Personal details
Born1982 (age 41–42)
Mogadishu, Somalia
Political partyDemocratic
Domestic partnerAhmed Hirsi
Children3
EducationNorth Dakota State University (B.A.)
WebsiteOfficial website

Ilhan Omar (born 1982) is a Somali-American politician from Minnesota. In 2016, she was elected a Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, making her the first Somali-American Muslim legislator elected to office in the United States.[1] She is the Director of Policy and Initiatives of the Women Organizing Women Network.

Omar is a candidate for representative in Minnesota's 5th congressional district.[2]

Omar has faced criticism that her views on the State of Israel - she has said it has “hypnotized the world” to hide its “evil doings,” and is an “apartheid regime” - border on antisemitism,[3][4][5][6] though she disputes this.[7]

Early life

Ilhan Omar was born in 1982,[8] in Mogadishu and was raised in Baydhabo, Somalia.[9][10] She was the youngest of seven siblings, and grew up in an upper-middle-class household. Ilhan's father, Nur Omar Mohamed, is Somali, and worked as a teacher trainer.[11] Her mother was Yemeni, and died when Omar was a child.[12] She was thereafter raised by her father and grandfather.[13] Ilhan's grandfather, Abukar, was the director of Somalia's National Marine Transport, with her uncles and aunts also working as civil servants and educators.[11] After the start of the civil war in 1991, she and her family fled the country and spent four years in a refugee camp in Kenya.[14]

In 1995, Omar and her family emigrated to the United States, initially settling in Arlington, Virginia.[15] In 1995, they moved to Minneapolis, where Ilhan quickly learned English in only three months. Her father and grandfather inculcated in her the importance of democracy. She also began to accompany her grandfather to caucus meetings at the age of 14 years, serving as his interpreter.[13]

Omar attended Edison High School, and volunteered there as a student organizer.[8]

Omar is a Policy Fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.[16]

Early career

Omar speaking at a Hillary Clinton presidential campaign rally in 2016

Omar began her professional career as a Community Nutrition Educator with the University of Minnesota. She worked in this capacity from 2006 to 2009 in the Greater Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. In 2012, Omar served as the Campaign Manager for Kari Dziedzic's reelection campaign for the Minnesota State Senate. Between 2012 and 2013, she was a Child Nutrition Outreach Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Education.[16]

In November 2012, in response to the March 2012 Gaza–Israel clashes, Omar tweeted that "Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel. #Gaza #Palestine #Israel."[17][18] This prompted criticism that her anti-Israel positions bordered on antisemitism.[18] According to Tablet, when confronted with these accusations, Omar defended the tweet by explaining that "drawing attention to the apartheid Israeli regime is far from hating Jews."[18] Earlier, Omar had once recommended that the University of Minnesota should divest from bonds belonging to the State of Israel and spoke out against the anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions law on the Minnesota State Senate floor.[18]

Omar later managed Andrew Johnson's municipal election campaign, as he ran for a municipal seat in Minneapolis' ward 12 in 2013. Following Johnson's election to the Minneapolis City Council, Omar served as the Senior Policy Aide in his office from 2013 to 2015.[16] During a contentious precinct caucus that turned violent in February 2014, she was attacked by five people and incurred some injuries.[11] According to the MinnPost, the day before the caucus, Minneapolis City Council member Abdi Warsame had told Johnson to warn Omar to not attend the meeting or there could be trouble for her.[19]

As of September 2015, Omar is the Director of Policy & Initiatives of the Women Organizing Women Network.[16] The association advocates for women from East Africa to take on civic and political leadership roles.[20]

Omar's volunteer experience and areas of interest include politics, education, civil rights and social action, poverty alleviation, human rights, environmental issues, animal welfare, and economic empowerment.[16] She supports a $15 per hour minimum wage.[21] With regard to scholastic affordability, she advocates free tuition for students with a family income below $125,000 as well as greater accessibility to student loan forgiveness programs.[22]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Elections

Omar at a Minnesota House DFL press conference in 2017

In 2016, Omar presented herself as a legislative candidate on the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) ticket for the Minnesota House of Representatives. Her chief opponent in the general election was Republican Party nominee Abdimalik Askar, also an activist in the Somali-American community. In late August, Askar announced his withdrawal from the campaign due to the death of his father and graduate studies.[23]

On August 9, 2016, Omar defeated Phyllis Kahn and Mohamud Noor in the DFL primary to become the nominee for the 2016 Minnesota House of Representatives election in district 60B.[24] Shortly after she secured the DFL party nomination, the conservative blog Power Line questioned the legal status of her marriage vows and wedding license.[25] According to her colleague Andrew Johnson, the timing of the story suggested that the motive was to diminish her image. Omar herself speculated that the allegations were planted by previously elected officials within her community and singled out Abdi Warsame, suggesting that he felt threatened by her growing political clout.[11]

In November 2016, Omar won the general election, becoming the first Somali-American legislator in the United States.[1] She officially began her term in the Minnesota House of Representatives on January 3, 2017.[26]

Tenure

As of September 2017, Rep. Omar has authored 25 bills[27] and co-authored 166 bills.[28]

Rep. Omar is currently the Assistant Minority Leader.

Committee assignments

  • Civil Law & Data Practices Policy
  • Higher Education & Career Readiness Policy & Finance
  • State Government Finance[29]

Congress

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, 2018 § District 5

On June 5, 2018, Omar filed to run for representative of Minnesota's 5th congressional district after Representative Keith Ellison announced that he would not seek reelection.[30] On June 17, 2018, she was endorsed by the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party after two rounds of voting.[31] She will face other candidates in an August primary.[32]

Awards

In 2014, Omar was named a rising star in the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party's Women's Hall of Fame.[16]

She was also presented the 2015 Community Leadership Award at the African Awards by Mshale, an African immigrant media outlet based in Minneapolis. The prize is annually awarded on a readership basis.[33]

Time Magazine named Omar among its "Firsts: Women who are changing the world", a special project on 46 women who have broken barriers in their respective disciplines, and featured her on the cover of its September 18 issue to mark the panel.[34]

Personal life

Omar is Muslim.[20] She attended North Dakota State University with her then-husband Ahmed Nur Said Elmi where she participated in the Muslim Student Association.[12] She graduated with bachelor's degrees in political science and international studies from North Dakota State University in 2011.[35][16]

Marriage controversy

In 2002, at the age of 19 years, she began a relationship with Ahmed Hirsi (né Ahmed Aden). They were engaged to be married that year and applied for a marriage license, but the application was never finalized. The pair had three children together, before separating in 2008. In 2009, Omar married Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, a British citizen. Omar was falsely accused of committing immigration fraud and bigamy by marrying her brother by conservative outlets including Powerline Blog.[36] However, it was discovered Omar had never legally divorced her 2011 husband Ahmed Nur Said Elmi and had never legally married her 2002 husband Ahmed Hirsi. In 2011, Omar reconciled with Hirsi and they were married in a traditional ceremony.[25] She, Hirsi (whom she refers to as her husband), and their three children live in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis.[20]

Issues

Israel

In November 2012 Omar tweeted that "Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel. #Gaza #Palestine #Israel."[37][18] This prompted criticism that her anti-Israel positions bordered on antisemitism.[18] She has also referred to the Israeli government, which has fully equal and democratically elected Muslim and Arab Knesset Members, as “the apartheid Israeli regime."[18] Omar is a supporter of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, having recommended that the University of Minnesota divest from bonds belonging to the State of Israel, and criticized an anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions law.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b Blair, Olivia (November 9, 2016). "Ilhan Omar: Former refugee is elected as America's first Somali-American Muslim woman legislator". The Independent. London. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  2. ^ Bierschbach, Briana; Bakst, Brian; Pugmire, Tim (June 5, 2018). "Filing deadline drama: Rep. Omar jumps into race for Congress". Minnesota Public Radio. St. Paul, Minnesota.
  3. ^ "As Keith Ellison Leaves Congress, One Likely Replacement Faces Criticism for Anti-Israel Views – Tablet Magazine". www.tabletmag.com. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  4. ^ "Woman running for Congress in Minnesota rejects anti-Semitism accusations". Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  5. ^ "Anti-Israel Ellison's Possible Replacement? Another Israel-Hater". Daily Wire. June 11, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  6. ^ Terrorism, IPT-Investigative Project on. "Hard to Believe BUT Candidate to Replace Ellison May Be Even More Hostile to Israel". Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  7. ^ "Woman running for Congress in Minnesota rejects anti-Semitism accusations". Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Duarte, Lorena (October 21, 2015). "'Done Wishing': Ilhan Omar on why she's running for House District 60B". MinnPost. Minneapolis. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  9. ^ Reinl, James (November 15, 2016). "Ilhan Omar: First female Somali American lawmaker". Al Jazeera. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  10. ^ Omar, Ilhan (June 16, 2016). "Questions from a 5th grader". Neighbors for Ilhan. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d Zurowski, Cory (November 7, 2016). "Ilhan Omar's improbable journey from refugee camp to Minnesota Legislature". City Pages. Minneapolis: Star Tribune Media Company. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  12. ^ a b Omar, Mahamad (November 1, 2016). "From Refugee to St. House Race, Ilhan Omar Looks to Break New Ground". Arab American Institute. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Holpuch, Amanda (February 29, 2016). "'This is my country': Muslim candidate aims to break boundaries in Minnesota". The Guardian. London. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  14. ^ "Ilhan Omar elected first Somali-American legislator in the US". Al Arabiya English. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  15. ^ Karnowski, Steve (August 10, 2016). "Former Somali refugee poised to win office in Minnesota". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g "Ilhan Omar". Linkedin. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  17. ^ "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h "As Keith Ellison Leaves Congress, One Likely Replacement Faces Criticism for Anti-Israel Views – Tablet Magazine". www.tabletmag.com. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  19. ^ Nord, James; Bierschbach, Briana (February 18, 2014). "Allegations of threats, bullying follow Cedar-Riverside caucus brawl". MinnPost. Minneapolis. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  20. ^ a b c "Bio - Ilhan for State Representative - 60B". Ilhan Omar. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  21. ^ Berry, Erica (July 11, 2017). "The Country's First Somali-American Legislator and Her Politics of Inclusivity". Pacific Standard. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  22. ^ Faircloth, Ryan (August 24, 2016). "Debate spotlights veteran, newcomers". Minnesota Daily. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  23. ^ Sawyer, Liz (August 27, 2016). "GOP state House candidate to suspend campaign against Ilhan Omar". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  24. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick; Klecker, Mara (August 10, 2016). "Ilhan Omar makes history with victory over long-serving Rep. Phyllis Kahn". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  25. ^ a b "DFL candidate Ilhan Omar explains marital history in statement". Fox9. August 17, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  26. ^ Lopez, Ricardo (January 4, 2017). "Dayton, legislators kick off session in newly refurbished Capitol". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  27. ^ "Minnesota Legislature - Office of the Revisor of Statutes". www.revisor.mn.gov.
  28. ^ "Minnesota Legislature - Office of the Revisor of Statutes". www.revisor.mn.gov.
  29. ^ "Ilhan Omar (DFL) 60B - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us.
  30. ^ Potter, Kyle (June 5, 2018). "Nation's 1st Somali-American lawmaker eyes seat in Congress". Associated Press. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  31. ^ Golden, Erin. "DFL endorses Omar for Ellison's congressional seat". Star Tribune.
  32. ^ Nelson, Tim (June 17, 2018). "Omar wins DFL endorsement for 5th District congressional seat". Minnesota Public Radio.
  33. ^ Mugo, Kari (October 23, 2015). "African diaspora shines at the African Awards Gala". Mshale. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  34. ^ "Minneapolis Rep. Ilhan Omar featured on Time Magazine cover". TwinCities. September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  35. ^ North Dakota, State of. "NDSU Magezine Winter 2017 Excerpts". www.ndsu.edu. North Dakota State University. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  36. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick. "Ilhan Omar offers answers to questions about her marital history". startribune.com. Minneapolis Star Tribune.
  37. ^ "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
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