History made: Palestinian, Somali origin Muslim women elected to US Congress

In a first, two Muslim women, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, got elected to Congress in the United States midterms that were held on Tuesday.

Although the Congress has Muslim men, this is the first time that two Muslim women have been elected. Tlaib, 42, is the first Palestinian-American woman to be elected after emerging victor from Michigan's 13th congressional district unopposed. Tlaib is a vocal critic of US President Donald Trump and was also arrested two years ago for disrupting a Trump speech in Detroit, CNN reported.

On the other hand, Omar, the 36-year-old Somali-American, who was running from Minnesota's strongly Democratic fifth congressional district, defeated the Republican's Jennifer Zielinski and replaced Keith Ellison, the first Muslim congressman. Omar came to the US more than two decades ago as a refugee.

Omar took to Twitter to celebrate her victory and wrote, “Thank You! It is the honor of a lifetime to represent you in Congress."

OUR VICTORY DHAANTO @IlhanMN #BlueWave2018 pic.twitter.com/tE0UpvOwCY

— jafar dhoof (@BihiDhoof) November 7, 2018

Both the Muslim congresswomen congratulated Ayanna Pressley, who has become the first black woman elected to represent Massachusetts in Congress. Both Omar and Tlaib wrote that they can not wait to serve with Pressley.

Congratulations @AyannaPressley! Can't wait to serve with you.

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) November 7, 2018

In the midterm congressional elections, the Democrats have emerged victorious in the lower house whereas, the Republicans have won majority in the Senate.