Ilhan Omar set to make history as first Somali-American to become US legislator

By: ABDIKADIR OKASH

MINNESOTA —Somali-American social activist in Minnesota made history Tuesday after she secured a Democratic nomination in the local primary elections, beating seasoned politician and a fellow first-timer in the process.

Ilhan Omar, 33, will likely become the next legislator if she trounce her opponent and  a fellow Somali-American competitor, republican Abdimalik Askar who is an educator and community activist in the November elections.

Ilhan Omar accepts nomination in Minneapolis House district. Photo/ Star Tribune

Chants of “Ilhan” rung out as she came up on stage to accept the nomination. Ilhan scooped 41 per cent of the total votes, distantly followed by Mohamud Mohamed, 30% and Phyllis Kahn, 29% in a fiercely competitive primary elections in a Minneapolis House district.

Born in Somalia, Ilhan left her motherland after the 1991 civil war. She lived in a Kenyan refugee camp for four years before moving to the U.S in the Somali populated neigbourhood of Cedar-Riverside. In her two decades stay in the States, Ilhan championed the rights of women and was a director of policy at the Women Orgernising Women.

After the results was made public, Ilhan became overwhelmed and could be seen wiping tears off her face as she held one of her children close. She moved upstage amid roaring chant of “Ilhan”to celebrate a victory she worked so hard for.

At first, she delivered her speech in English and later in Somali. In her speech, she credited her parents for the success, saying they taught her about leadership and democracy. She also thanked her husband and her three children.

“Tonight we made history,” Ilhan told the crowd. “Tonight marks the beginning of the future of our district, a new era of representation. Tonight is about the power of you.”

“It is with tremendous gratitude that I accept the nomination. I pledge to represent you with integrity and humility,” she said.

Ilhan’s campaign has the backing of  prominent figures, among them the former mayor of Minneapolis, R.T. Rybak, who termed her success remarkable.

“From a refugee camp to the State Capitol with intelligence and insight. This is a wonderful story to tell as Americans, and a great source of pride for the state of Minnesota’s open arms,” the former Mayor said.

Her third placed competitor in the primary elections, Phyllis Kahn, speaking after the results, was made said Ilhan Omar staged a successful campaign and congratulated her for the victory.

If Ilhan defeats her republican opponent, Abdimalik Sokor in the November polls, she will make history as the first Somali-American to serve as a US lawmaker.