Democrat Ilhan Omar will be the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman in Congress

Ilhan Omar.
(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/Hannah Allam)

On Tuesday, Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar became the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman elected to Congress. A former refugee, she is also the first Somali-American to serve in Congress. She was elected by the state's 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis and its suburbs.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.