This Day in History: 2017-11-16
November 8, 2016 – “Minnesota Elects Country’s First Muslim American Woman Legislator”
Ilhan Omar became the first Muslim American woman elected to any legislative body in the country’s history. Omar, a Somali-American, is a former refugee and was elected to serve in Minnesota’s state legislature. In order to win her party’s nomination in Minneapolis, where she serves, she had to defeat a 44-year incumbent. She is an advocate for affordable college, criminal justice reform, economic equality and clean energy.
June 1994 - "Council on American-Islamic Relations is Founded" Three officers of the Islamic Association of Palestine established the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The organization focuses on defending the civil rights of Muslims, challenging stereotypes of Islam and Muslims and training Muslims in media relations. The organization was one of the leaders in protecting the rights of Islamic Americans after 9/11, when Muslims in the U.S.experienced an increased level of discrimination and violence.