by Molly Prince
Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar urged Americans to celebrate the Fourth of July by reflecting on “how much further we have to go,” standing in contrast to her joyful celebration of Somali Independence Day four days prior.
“Today gives us all a chance to reflect on how far we have come as a country and how much further we have to go to achieve full equality for all people,” Omar tweeted July 4. “We are at a tipping point for progress right now.”
“Happy 4th of July,” she added.
Today gives us all a chance to reflect on how far we have come as a country and how much further we have to go to achieve full equality for all people.
We are at a tipping point for progress right now. ✊🏽
Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 4, 2019
Omar’s congressional office also tweeted a Fourth of July message, stating that Independence Day is a time to celebrate American values such as freedom of the press, equal protection of all minorities and America’s role in guaranteeing human rights worldwide.
While there was no mention of America’s independence from Britain, the tweet listed the Constitution, despite the holiday actually celebrating the Declaration of Independence.
Omar’s congressional office also included “freedom from foreign influence” as a reason to celebrate the Fourth of July. Omar faced massive backlash in February after she suggested Jews’ support of Israel is paid for. She later denied the age-old anti-Semitic canard contending she was simply referring to “the political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country.”
“We must continue to strive to make our union even more perfect,” Omar’s office added to the Independence Day tweet.
The message of reflection comes only days after Omar posted a video of herself joyfully dancing along during a Somali Independence Day celebration.
“Happy Independence Day Somalia,” Omar tweeted July 1 before adding “Somalia hanoolaato,” which translates into “Long live Somalia.”
Soomaliyeey Toosoo
Toosoo isku tiirsada eey
Hadba kiina taag daraneey
Taageera weligiineey.Happy Independence Day Somalia 🇸🇴 #1stluuyo
Somalia hanoolaato ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/JHxXyFFDK0
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 1, 2019
The congresswoman’s celebratory tweet also included a passage from Somali’s previous national anthem that translates roughly into English as “Somalis, wake up, wake up and support each other. Support your country. Support them forever.”
Omar, a Somali immigrant, became one of America’s first Muslim congresswomen when sworn into office in 2018. Her time in office has been embroiled in allegations of anti-Semitism and anti-American sentiments.
The congresswoman fundraised with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a notable pro-Palestinian organization with ties to Islamic terror groups. The U.S. Department of Justice listed CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator in funding millions of dollars to Hamas. Additionally, the United Arab Emirates named CAIR a terrorist organization along with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in 2014.
While speaking to CAIR, Omar described the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as merely an event where “some people did something.” The comments sparked widespread criticism for downplaying the attacks that left nearly 3,000 Americans dead.
– – –
Molly Prince is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Ilhan Omar” by Fibonacci Blue. CC BY 2.0. Background Photo “Ilhan Omar” by Ilhan Omar.
