US elects more Muslim lawmakers

Prominent Muslim lawmakers retained their seat in the US House of Representatives, while some new faces win seats in state legislatures.

Muslim Americans also turned out to cast their ballots in huge numbers, according to the most prominent Muslim civil advocacy in the country, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

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CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said: “The Muslim community’s significant ability to impact the results of numerous races across this country – including the presidential election – was recognized nationally by candidates and the media.”

On Tuesday night, three Muslim members of the House of Representatives were re-elected in their constituencies.

They were Ilhan Omar in Minnesota’s fifth congressional district, Rachida Tlaib in Michigan’s thirteenth district, and Andre Carson in Indiana’s seventh district. All three belong to the Democratic party.

Tlaib and Omar are prominent members of the Squad, along with congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley.

The group have distinguished themselves among fellow Democrats for their progressive platform and their combative stance towards the policies of President Trump.

Elsewhere on the state legislature level, Palestinian American Muslim Iman Jodeh, was elected in Colorado.

In Oklahoma, Mauree Turner, became the first Muslim lawmaker elected to the state legislature, while Madinah Wilson-Anton, shared the same accolade in Delaware.

In Wisconsin, Samba Baldeh, was elected to the state legislature, while in Florida Christopher Benjamin was elected to the state house. All are members of the Democratic party.

According to Pew, there are 3.45 million Muslims across the US, which amounts to just below one percent of the population. Most though are concentrated in states, such as New York, Michigan, Illinois, and California. (TRT World)