Eleanor Finch
In December 2018, a viral meme claimed that three Muslim congresswomen, including Ilhan Omar, had refused to take their oath of office to uphold the constitution. This claim was false. Representatives usually take an oath, swearing to support and defend the Constitution, on the first day of a new Congress. In 2019, Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, argued that Republicans were making a mockery of the Constitution by planning to acquit President Donald Trump of wrongdoing, and criticized GOP leaders in the Senate for abdicating their responsibility and their oath.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ilhan Omar's use of the Quran to take the oath of office | Legal |
| The claim that Omar and two other Muslim congresswomen refused to uphold the Constitution | False |
| Ilhan Omar's stance on the GOP | They are making a mockery of the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
Ilhan Omar used a Quran to take the oath of office
Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, used a Quran to take the oath of office. She did not break the law by doing so. Representatives usually take an oath by swearing to support and defend the Constitution on the first day of a new Congress. They first take the oath as a group, then ceremonial swearing-ins follow, during which members can take the oath with their hand on a religious text and be photographed with the speaker. While most members of Congress have historically sworn the oath on a copy of the Bible, the Constitution does not require it.
In December 2018, a text-based meme claiming that three 'Muslim congresswomen' had refused to take their oath of office to uphold the Constitution started to circulate on Facebook. This was false, as there is no evidence to back up that claim. The 116th Congress, which convened in 2019, included a record 102 women serving in the House, two of whom were the first Muslim women to serve in Congress. These were Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who planned to use a copy of Thomas Jefferson's Koran for her ceremonial swearing-in.
In 2007, then-Rep.-elect Keith Ellison used former President Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Koran for his swearing-in ceremony, drawing complaints from conservative Christians who claimed only a Bible could be used for the oath of office. However, this is not true, as the Constitution makes clear that the oath can be replaced with an 'Affirmation', which substitutes the religious language with secular affirmation. Furthermore, in 1825, former President John Quincy Adams swore his oath on a law book, and in 2013, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu, swore on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita.
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She did not break the law by doing so
In December 2018, a viral meme began to circulate on Facebook, claiming that three 'Muslim congresswomen'—Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and an unnamed third woman—had refused to take their oath of office to uphold the constitution. The post, shared by thousands, asserted that the women were refusing to pledge allegiance to America and intended to install Sharia law. These claims were found to be false.
Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, did not break the law by using a Quran to take the oath of office. Representatives usually take an oath—swearing to support and defend the Constitution—on the first day of a new Congress. While they are required to take the oath, they are not required to swear it on a Bible. The Constitution makes clear that the oath can be replaced with an "Affirmation," which substitutes religious language with secular affirmation.
In 2007, then-Rep.-elect Keith Ellison used former President Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Koran for his swearing-in ceremony, and in 2013, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu, swore on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. Photos showing Omar, Tlaib, and Ellison with their hands on Qurans are from ceremonial events, re-enacting their swearing-in. The official swearing-in ceremony of the House involves no religious text.
In 2019, Omar criticised Senate GOP leaders for "abdicating their responsibility and their oath," arguing that Republicans were making a "mockery of the Constitution" by planning to acquit President Donald Trump of wrongdoing.
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She criticised Republicans for making a mockery of the Constitution
Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, argued that Republicans are making a "mockery of the Constitution" by planning to acquit former President Donald Trump of wrongdoing. She criticized Senate GOP leaders for "abdicating their responsibility and their oath".
In December 2018, a text-based meme circulated on Facebook claiming that three 'Muslim congresswomen', including Omar, had refused to take their oath of office to uphold the Constitution. This claim was deemed false by PolitiFact and Snopes. Representatives usually take an oath, swearing to support and defend the Constitution, on the first day of a new Congress. The Constitution makes clear that the oath can be replaced with a secular affirmation. In 2007, then-Rep.-elect Keith Ellison used former President Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Koran for his swearing-in ceremony, and in 2013, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu, swore on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita.
Omar's comments came in the context of Trump's impeachment for his alleged efforts to pressure Ukraine to announce investigations into discredited claims of corruption against his political rivals. Democrats in Congress believed that Trump abused his power and asked a foreign government to interfere in a U.S. election. The "Obstruction of Congress" charge was levelled against the White House's refusal to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. Omar argued that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's plan to cooperate with the White House counsel went against the Constitution, which grants the House of Representatives the "sole Power of Impeachment."
Omar called on Americans to hold their senators accountable and ensure that the Constitutional process is carried out impartially. She has been a vocal critic of various human rights issues, including China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims, the Assad regime in Syria, and the actions of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Omar has also introduced resolutions affirming Americans' right to participate in boycotts for civil and human rights causes.
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Omar was the first person to wear a hijab in US Congress
Ilhan Omar, a Muslim, was sworn in on the Quran to the US Congress, becoming the first person to wear a hijab in US Congress. She was also one of the first two Muslim women to be elected to Congress, the other being Rashida Tlaib, who took the oath on a Quran as well but did not wear a hijab. Omar's swearing-in was made possible by a change in rules that allowed her to wear a religious head covering on the floor of the House. There had been a 181-year ban on headwear of any type in the chamber.
Omar's use of the Quran for her swearing-in ceremony was not unprecedented. In 2007, then-Rep.-elect Keith Ellison used former President Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Quran for his swearing-in ceremony, and in 2013, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu, swore on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. The Constitution does not require the use of a Bible for the oath of office and allows for the use of an 'Affirmation' instead of an oath.
Omar's achievement was significant as it represented a step towards greater diversity and representation in Congress. She was also outspoken about her choice to wear the hijab, tweeting, "No one puts a scarf on my head but me. It's my choice – one protected by the first amendment. And this is not the last ban I’m going to work to lift." Omar's journey to Congress was also remarkable, having fled war in Somalia and spending time in a refugee camp in Kenya before moving to the United States at the age of 14.
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A meme falsely claimed Omar refused to uphold the Constitution
In December 2018, a meme began circulating on Facebook claiming that three 'Muslim congresswomen' refused to take their oath of office to uphold the Constitution. The meme, shared by thousands, asserted that the congresswomen were refusing to uphold the Constitution and were promising to install Sharia law instead. This claim was proven to be false.
The two Muslim women who were elected to serve in the House were Democrats Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who were elected in November 2018 to represent congressional districts in Minnesota and Michigan, respectively. They joined Rep. André Carson, a Democrat from Indiana, who is also Muslim. Rashida Tlaib, for her part, made public her preparations for taking the oath, which included wearing a traditional Palestinian dress, known as a thobe, made by her mother.
Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, did not break the law when she used a Quran to take the oath of office. Representatives usually take an oath swearing to support and defend the Constitution on the first day of a new Congress. The Constitution makes clear that the oath can be replaced with an "Affirmation," which substitutes religious language with secular affirmation.
In 2019, Omar argued that Republicans were making a "mockery of the Constitution" by planning to acquit President Donald Trump of wrongdoing, slamming GOP leaders in the Senate for "abdicating their responsibility and their oath."
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Frequently asked questions
No, she did not. Omar did use a Quran to take the oath of office, but this is not illegal.
Representatives take an oath swearing to support and defend the Constitution on the first day of a new Congress. They first take the oath as a group, then individually with their hand on a religious text.
Omar criticised Senate GOP leaders, arguing that they were making a "mockery of the Constitution" by planning to acquit President Donald Trump of wrongdoing.
In December 2018, a text-based meme started circulating on Facebook claiming that three 'Muslim congresswomen' had refused to take their oath of office to uphold the Constitution.
Omar took the oath of office with her hand on a Quran, a practice that is not illegal.
