Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, has routinely faced hatred and bigotry from the right over her religion.
She's been falsely accused of supporting terrorism. She's faced calls to be sent back to Somalia, from which she escaped as a child before becoming an American citizen.
The Congresswoman became the subject of backlash again in an effort to point out double standards in the United States over the varying acceptability in public expression of religious beliefs.
Earlier this week on Twitter, a video of Christians singing religious songs on a plane went viral, appearing to originate on the Instagram of Pastor Jack Jensz Jr.
Imagine you get on a plane and you have to listen to this pic.twitter.com/RpY8d7RK4Y
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) April 16, 2022
Omar was one of the many social media users who responded to the video, asking what would happen if, as a Muslim, she chose to engage in a prayer session with her family while on a plane.
I think my family and I should have a prayer session next time I am on a plane. How do you think it will end? pic.twitter.com/5696Erwsl5
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) April 17, 2022
The Congresswoman made no remarks about Christianity or any other faith. She did not criticize those featured in the video. She didn't reveal any of their personal information.
Yet her far-right colleague, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado, accused her of "anti-Christian hate."
Shout out to @IlhanMN.
Her anti-Christian hate helped propel a song praising Jesus to 33 million views over Easter weekend.
“Even the rocks will cry out.”
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) April 18, 2022
Interestingly enough, Boebert has publicly engaged in anti-Muslim hate while talking with her constituents, even joking on multiple occasions that Omar could be a suicide bomber.
In a response to Boebert, Omar acknowledged that this month is Ramadan and offered to pray for Boebert.
Anti-Christian hate? You need to stop projecting your bigotry. Religious bigots like you always think others hold the same hate they have in their hearts.
It’s Ramadan and I am gonna pray for y’all.
May God cleanse your hearts. https://t.co/QkRb0cXTvt
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) April 18, 2022
Social media users joined her in dunking on Boebert.
I love it! Thank you for speaking out! https://t.co/tT1QRvEWuJ
— Gabriel Garcia (@PsyGabe) April 19, 2022
Why are republicans electing stupid people like @RepBoebert ?? Because they are easily duped. https://t.co/ilpIIhhuvx
— Michael Frost (@M_TheFrost) April 19, 2022
Ilhan Omar made a fair argument over that video from the airplane, and trying to turn such argument into a “anti-Christian” rhetoric is just pathetic, cheap politics…
Then how would you describe people’s death stares while I’m reading Qur’an on airplane? https://t.co/yybO0ZhVKY
— Merve Aydogan-Ağlarcı (@mgulaydogan) April 19, 2022
Well said. https://t.co/WJjaBZoHLy
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) April 18, 2022
Its amazing how these evangelical christians are always hating on everyone else. It doesn't matter how good you treat them they will always consider themselves better or find ways to put you down. Just look at her twitter page. It speaks for itself. Ironically she needs Jesus! https://t.co/gmUoNtVCSG
— LightfighterZen (@LightfighterZ) April 18, 2022
Sadly, I find more hate coming from the "Christians;" those who proclaim piety but lash out at everyone around them with hate and violence https://t.co/JtkS4aCCLo
— Felony (she/her) (@siobhanraven) April 18, 2022
But Omar still faced vicious bigotry in response to her rebuttal.
Let me tell you what would likely happen. For the first three syllables, you may just get apprehended. My family served in your countries and their instructions were to shoot before too many syllables come out. We are a Christian-based nation. Stay in your lane. https://t.co/0MogkQA72u pic.twitter.com/T8GD9jmqfB
— Beatrice Rose (@MadgeFoxx) April 19, 2022
How is this demonic bitch a congresswoman ? https://t.co/DZz5pmEVs8
— Business Man (@DanteeRhodes) April 19, 2022
Do.
Not.
Pray.
For.
Me,
Bitch. https://t.co/l62gTVLkuM
— DontSeeMeGirlie (@ConlonTisch) April 18, 2022
Muslims across the country continue to face similar discrimination to the kind frequently lobbed at Omar.
@cynthiakrueger/BlueSky
@slothvibes/BlueSky
Tara Ustralis/Google
@ohhthatsrich/TikTok
@ohhthatsrich/TikTok
@ohhthatsrich/TikTok
@ohhthatsrich/TikTok
