Yesterday, January 3, the renewed Congress, which is considered unique for its composition, because for all time of existence of the house of representatives was not so many women, Muslims, African Americans, Hispanics and indigenous peoples.
Within this diversity has been recorded by several historical moments. For example, 37-year-old novoispechennoy Congresswoman representing the fifth district of Minnesota, and a native of Somalia, Ilhan Omar went down in history for the first time after being sworn in hijab.
«As a child I interpreted for my grandfather in our meetings, and it was he who first sparked my interest in politics, wrote to Omar, who along with his family had fled Somalia when she was 8 years old, on his Twitter page. During the ceremony I took the oath on his Koran, and believe that his soul was near.»
As a kid, I acted as my grandfather’s translator at our caucuses and he was the one who first sparked my interest in politics.
I wish he could be here to witness this historic moment, but he was here in spirit as I placed my hand on his Quran for the ceremonial swearing in. pic.twitter.com/PRNNOPQXuU
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 4, 2019
Even after his election to Congress from the Democratic party in November, she announced her desire to wear the hijab.
«It’s my choice — one that is protected by the first amendment. And this is not the last ban that I’m going to cancel,» she wrote then on Twitter.
New speaker Nancy Pelosi, who already held this position, and the Chairman of the Committee of the house of representatives Jim McGovern supported the initiative of Omar and included it in the package of new rules that can adopt today, January 4.
Note, despite the fact that on Capitol hill is still dominated by Christians, religious diversity is increasing. Omar and Rashid Tlaib from a family of Palestinian immigrants made history as the first Muslim woman in Congress.
This really happened. I am a U. S. Congresswoman. Not bad for a girl from southwest Detroit who didn’t speak English, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants.
#13thDistrictStrong: You helped change Congress forever. Now, let’s get to work to change our neighborhoods. #rootedincommunity pic.twitter.com/Xz511eIcyg
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) January 4, 2019
Also this year, more than a dozen papers and books — including the U.S. Constitution, the Orthodox Bible and the Koran, was used for the oath of the representatives of various ethnic and religious groups. For example, a Member of the house of representatives Madeleine Dean from Pennsylvania took the oath on the Bible of his uncle.
«I’m honored to take the oath of office on the Bible my uncle Walter Dean, — she wrote on Twitter. — He worked as a priest for 53 years, but he was also a teacher. He always believed in me and fueled my passion for learning, teaching and service.»
And Democrat Kirsten Sinema was sworn in on a copy of the Constitution instead of the traditional Bible.
«Kirsten always swears on the Constitution just because of her love for the Constitution», — said the press-Secretary of cinema John Labombard, not becoming to comment on the religious beliefs of the newly made Senator.
Senators and members of the house of representatives can take the oath on any book where they want.
