
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, told a rally Friday at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester that she doesnât mind being called a radical for pushing the country to adopt new policies that would help ordinary Americans. Steve Collins/Sun Journal Buy this Photo
MANCHESTER, N.H. â Newly elected Lewiston City Council member Safiya Khalid stood beside one of her idols after a political rally Friday.

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, left, a Minnesota Democrat, and Safiya Khalid, a newly elected Lewiston City Council member, meet Friday following a political rally in Manchester, New Hampshire. Steve Collins/Sun Journal Buy this Photo
âOh, my God, youâre so small!â Khalid squealed as she eyed U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar. The Minnesota Democrat and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, of Michigan, in 2018 became the first two Muslim woman elected to Congress.
Hugging the congresswoman, Khalid told her, âI love you. Youâre amazing. I canât believe youâre in my presence.â
Omar appeared equally thrilled.
She told Khalid, a 23-year-old who won a council seat after a race that included many online racist taunts, that sheâs not sure she could have dealt with âso much hateâ at such a young age.
Omar, 37, told her young Lewiston admirer that she had shown wisdom and courage far beyond her years and that by sticking it out, she helped ensure that neither of them would be the last Somalis to move ahead in American politics.
Omar came to New Hampshire Friday to promote Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, a Vermont senator, at a rally at Southern New Hampshire University.
âPolitics,â Omar said, âcan be a vehicle for bringing joy into our lives.â
Sanders praised Omar for showing âwhat America is supposed to beâ and standing up against âsome of the most ugly racism ever thrownâ at a member of Congress.
Afterwards, at a nearby hotel, Omar met with a reporter and Khalid.
Omar said she first heard about Lewiston back in 2002 when its mayor, Laurier Raymond Jr., wrote an open letter to the Somali community after more than 1,000 refugees from Somalia moved to the city.
âPlease pass the word: We have been overwhelmed and have responded valiantly. Now we need breathing room. Our city is maxed-out financially, physically and emotionally,â Raymond wrote.
Omar recalled the âreally horrible, sinfulâ views of refugees that Raymond had expressed and âfeeling completely saddenedâ for the immigrants involved âwho were just looking for an opportunity to find a new home and they were being treated in such a negative way.â

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks Friday during a New Hampshire rally about his admiration for U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, who has endorsed him. Steve Collins/Sun Journal Buy this Photo
But, she said, she also remembered how wonderful it felt âthat members of the community rallied around themâ and that the Somalis have successfully found a way to become part of the fabric of the place where they settled.
Omar said U.S. Rep Jared Golden, a first-term Democrat from Lewiston, has spoken with her fondly about âhow much they are an exceptional part of the larger community.â
Still, though, there are some who echo Raymondâs comments and worry about too many immigrants coming to town. Some may simply be racists â including those who unleashed venom at Khalid during the campaign.
Omar said she doesnât know if she would have the courage âto run at the tender age of 23 and take on the kind of challenge that sheâs faced in carving her own pathâ and inspiring the community âthat there is a better tomorrow.â
Omar said she doesnât mind the slurs directed at her, which didnât start until she first won a state legislative race in Minnesota, because âI understand my purpose and create my own worth in every space that Iâm in.â
But, she said, she worries how all those mean comments impact others.
âThe intent ultimately is to silence me and to help silence anyone else who feels inspired to have their voice be heard because of me,â the congresswoman said. âWe win when we disregard it and continue to push forward. Thatâs part of being an American.â
Omar added that âI donât know, really, truly, if, as courageous as I have been, I donât know if all of that had come while I was still running if I would have been able to continue.â
To see Khalid âendure so much and triumph really was a testament to the fact that whatâs happening to me is not a deterrent for people to run and get involved and continue and win, that it is actually creating more resolve in people.â
Her victory in Lewiston showed that critics are not going to stymie âour ability to be full participants of our communities and to have the opportunity to be the voice of our communities,â Omar said.
She said Khalidâs win left her feeling better.
âThe fact that there is a Safiya means there are going to be many more,â Omar said. âIf thereâs no more Ilhans or Safiyas, then (the racists) win.â

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, records a video Friday as she talks with Safiya Khalid, a newly elected Lewiston City Council member, for a future social media post. Steve Collins/Sun Journal Buy this Photo
âThe hope is for us not to be the last,â Khalid added.
âThe fact that itâs not feels good,â Omar said.
Omar said that she tries to push back against the fake narratives of her foes and embraces the chance to be âa walking billboardâ for the many communities of which both she and Khalid are a part.
âWe are Somali. We are women. We are Muslim. We are immigrants. We are refugees. We are black,â Omar said.
She said she canât represent all of the people whose identities overlap with hers, but each group of which sheâs a part has informed her experiences and made her realize she carries with her some of the hopes and dreams of many Americans.
Before heading out to another campaign event with Sanders, Omar asked Khalid if sheâd be willing to do a short video interview that the congresswoman could post on social media.
âOh, my God, are you serious?â Khalid asked.
With Omarâs camera capturing all of it, the two laughed and talked, each saying how much the other inspired them.
Then they talked about a possible visit by the congresswoman to Lewiston in the coming months.
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