Rashida Tlaib becomes first Muslim US congresswoman

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON (AA) - Michigan's Rashida Tlaib made history Tuesday by becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress.

Tlaib won the congressional seat for Michigan's 13th district after former Representative John Conyers abruptly stepped down following sexual harassment allegations, leaving the seat vacant.

With no Republican opponent, Tlaib defeated Etta Wilcoxon of the Green Party and Sam Johnson of the Working Class Party.

The Palestinian-American Muslim ran under the Democratic Party, having previously served six years in the state legislature.

This year, a record 90 Muslims were contesting in the polls since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, according to Jetpac, an organization that helps Muslims run for political office.