Fourth Muslim joins US Congress, first for California

The US House of Representatives has just seen a fourth Muslim American added to its ranks, as Lateefah Simon of California begins her term in the 119th Congress.

Simon, who took office on 3 January, joins Representatives Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and André Carson of Indiana as part of a small but growing representation of Muslims in US Congress.

“Lateefah Simon’s election is a powerful reminder that American Muslims are making strides and finding their voices in the halls of Congress. Especially during a time when many in our community feel the weight of rising Islamophobia,” Robert McCaw, government affairs director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in a public statement shortly after her election.

“Her presence, alongside Representatives Carson, Tlaib, and Omar, demonstrates our community’s resilience and commitment to justice. This achievement should inspire every American Muslim to have faith in their ability to create positive change and to contribute to a more inclusive and just society,” he said.

The 47-year-old long-time community organiser from the San Francisco Bay Area is filling the shoes of Barbara Lee, who left her position in California’s 12th Congressional district to run for US Senate (losing to Adam Schiff).

She comes to Congress after having worked in criminal justice reform, serving on the board of California‘s state university system, and most recently served on the board of the Bay Area Rapid Transportation (BART), the commuter train system between San Francisco, Oakland and other towns and cities. 

Since taking office earlier this month, Simon, whose background is African American and who represents a deep blue district, has joined the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the House Committee on Small Business, and she has become a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Reproductive Rights Caucus and the Labour Caucus.