VOA常速英语:首位美籍索马里人立法者于明尼苏达州就职

“And if you could please say ‘I Do’ after I finish.”

With two simple words “I do” Ilhan Omar took her place in the Minnesota House of Representatives,accomplishing what few people thought possible during an election year that put Muslim-Americans at the center of heated political debate about immigration and terrorism.

“The Muslim community needs a win.”

Muslim American society of Minnesota executive director Asad Zaman was one of dozens of supporters who watched Ilhan Omar,

“Do you solemnly swear (or affirm)...”

take the ceremonial oath of office on a commemorative Quran on the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

“I Do.”

“Congratulations! Welcome to the House of Representatives!”

“The ethos of America that can embrace a Somali-American, hijab-clad woman as their representative,I think that’s something amazing about America.”

The negativity of the 2016 presidential election campaign, is now a footnote for Ilhan Omar,who views her role in the national conversation about Muslim Americans as a positive one.

“It sort of provides a counternarrative to say well all is not bad. That there is good, and if someone like Ilhan, who has all the odds against her, can succeed,then you know we are able to see that as a country we do have a balance of both good and bad and that we just have to figure out a way to come together, and make sure that we’re amplifying the voices of good.”

Well Omar is the first Somali-American legislator serving in Minnesota state government.She did not win the support of the majority of the Somali-American voters in her Minneapolis district. She was elected to her seat by courting voters outside that diaspora.

“Politics is the art of inclusion.Ilhan Omar has practiced inclusive politics as she’s been able to put forth a candidacy that is attractive to a largely white liberal group of voters and she has convinced them that she is the best candidate.”

She is also convincing others beyond Minnesota that anything is possible,something she says was reinforced to her on a recent visit to the Horn of Africa.

“Hearing about young people who are running for elected office in Kenya and in Somalia because they were inspired by my race.I think messages like that truly put things into focus,and sort of, I think amplify the level and magnitude of what we’ve been able to do here.”

The magnitude of Omar’s contributions as a state lawmaker in Minnesota is yet to be measured,but Zaman says Omar now has the attention of more than just the voters in Minnesota.

“So this is a big deal, I think the whole world is watching what we are doing here today.”

Which is why Ilhan Omar says one of her biggest challenges now is living up to all the hopes and expectations people have for her as she charts an historic path forward.

Kane Farabaugh, VOA news, St. Paul, Minnesota.