QUICK FACTS
Date of Birth
1982
Mogadishu, Somalia
Place of Birth
Why Featured?
Ilhan Omar is recognized for her fearless advocacy for Palestinian rights in the U.S. Congress, using her platform to challenge U.S. foreign policy towards Israel and bring attention to the plight of Palestinians under occupation.
BRIEF BIO
Ilhan Omar is a Somali-American politician and U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district. As one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, Omar has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, often criticizing U.S. support for Israel’s actions in the occupied territories. Her work has sparked significant debate and controversy, particularly for her support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and her calls for re-evaluating U.S. aid to Israel.
LAST UPDATED
DATE
Monday, January 26, 2026
MAJOR MILESTONES
Key dates & turning points
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia (1982): Fled the Somali Civil War with her family, spending four years in a refugee camp in Kenya before resettling in the United States in 1995.
Elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives (2016): Became the first Somali-American legislator in the United States, marking the beginning of her political career.
Elected to the U.S. Congress (2018): As a member of the "Squad," Omar became one of the first two Muslim women elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Minnesota's 5th district.
Published Memoir This Is What America Looks Like (2020): Chronicled her journey from a Somali refugee to a U.S. Congresswoman, offering insights into her advocacy and political philosophy.
Removed from House Foreign Affairs Committee (2023): Following controversial statements about Israel, Omar was removed from her committee position, sparking a broader debate about free speech and criticism of Israeli policies in U.S. politics.
CONTRIBUTIONS
What they did, and why it matters
Advocacy for Palestinian Rights in Congress: Omar has been a consistent voice against the Israeli occupation of Palestine, advocating for Palestinian self-determination and calling out human rights violations...See More
Support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement: Omar’s endorsement of BDS has been a significant contribution to the movement’s visibility in U.S. politics, despite backlash from pro-Israel groups.
Call for Re-Evaluation of U.S. Aid to Israel: Omar has repeatedly questioned the U.S.’s unconditional military aid to Israel, arguing that it enables the continued occupation and human rights abuses against Palestinians.
Highlighting Humanitarian Issues in Gaza: Through her platform, Omar has brought attention to the humanitarian crises in Gaza, advocating for increased U.S. humanitarian aid and a ceasefire during conflicts...See More
Public Defense Against Islamophobia and Anti-Palestinian Rhetoric: Omar has used her experiences as a Muslim woman in politics to defend against Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian sentiments, advocating for a more just and equitable foreign policy.
Disclaimer: This chat uses AI to generate responses inspired by the profile content and publicly available information. It does not represent the real person.
Last updated
Jan 26, 2026
DISCOVER
Profiles from the Same Path
A rotating spotlight on voices that shaped Palestine’s culture, thought, and history.