Ilhan Omar Quotes

Ilhan Omar

Profession : Politician

Birth : October 4, 1981

When I first arrived in the country, I really didn't speak much of the language. I knew two words coming here, and they were 'Hello' and 'Shut up.'

Ilhan Omar

I had a lot of challenges starting school, and my dad says I would come home every day crying and feeling bad about the problems I was having with some of the kids. And he would tell me to work hard on learning the language.

Ilhan Omar

I think my faith as a Muslim is very important. One of the core values is that you are always trying to build consensus. So when it comes to figuring out if something is permissible or not in Islam, it's usually a discussion, and people have to come to a consensus in order for something to be approved.

Ilhan Omar

Here in Minnesota, we don't only welcome immigrants; we send them to Washington.

Ilhan Omar

I think we forget that, for a really long time, this country has been a place that has welcomed many refugees who have made it home and have tremendously contributed to this country.

Ilhan Omar

I believe in the ideals of America, in liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness.

Ilhan Omar

In just my own neighborhood, you can't go one block without seeing a sign that says, you know, 'Everyone's welcome here,' 'Refugees are welcome here.' I love my Muslim neighbors, and so there is truly this spirit of generosity and compassion and openness that still exists.

Ilhan Omar

We know that when people are civically engaged, when they understand what their rights are, when they understand that in a democracy you can challenge governments, you can challenge policymakers, and you can... actually shape and form future policy, I think it changes the perception that a lot of young people have about where power is.

Ilhan Omar

For me, as an immigrant who didn't speak the language, when I would have struggles as a kid, my dad would say, 'Once you are able to communicate with people, they're able to connect with you beyond your otherness.' That is really the message I've carried throughout my life.

Ilhan Omar

I am not a Somali representative. I am not a Muslim representative. I am not a millennial representative. I am not a woman representative. I am a representative who happens to have all of these marginalized identities and can understand the intersectionality of all of them in a very unique way.

Ilhan Omar

I know what it feels like to be a young family looking for opportunity in the United States.

Ilhan Omar

I try not to think of my life in terms of separation.

Ilhan Omar

My kids are part of the rest of my community and my wider family.

Ilhan Omar

ICE has only become increasingly militarized, brutal, and unaccountable.

Ilhan Omar

Our immigration policy should be based in compassion and a desire to help the other.

Ilhan Omar

I come from people who dreamed of a free democratic system. I believe so strongly in the process and equal access.

Ilhan Omar

I'm not easily scared; from the age of 8, I learned what it means to have everything you know taken away and what it means to persevere. I approach politics the same way.

Ilhan Omar

We are accountable to each other; having an equitable Minnesota benefits everyone, not just the disenfranchised.

Ilhan Omar

I think being an immigrant makes me overly optimistic.

Ilhan Omar

I will never apologize for standing up against oppression and injustice in Israel or anywhere else.

Ilhan Omar