ilhan omar fights for right to wear hijab in house

As the new class of politicians enter the House, they’re being met with the type of rules and regulations that arise when a system is created solely for a specific type of people. The House of Representatives has a headwear ban in place that dates back to 1867 according to Mic, indicative of a rule-making environment that served a specific culture.

Ilhan Omar, Minnesota’s newly elected representative for the 5th Congressional district is a Somali-American, practicing Muslim who wears a hijab. According to Roll Call, Democrats are currently presenting a proposal that would relax the House headwear ban to accommodate religious exceptions, such as the Islamic hijab or Jewish Kippah. Ilhan is supporting that proposal, establishing her pride in her religion by tweeting: “No one puts a scarf on my head but me. It’s my choice — one protected by the first amendment.”

We love a constitutionally supported clapback!

The proposal is just one part of a larger overhaul of House rules that seek to undercut Republican tactics instilled by a previously Republican-run House and we are here for the Democrats wasting no time in that regard. Omar said it herself in her tweet: “This is not the last ban I’m going to lift.”

We believe you sis, and we’re firmly along for the ride.