Minnesota Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s father passed away, she announced Monday night, due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) complications.
“It is with tremendous sadness and pain that I share that my father, Nur Omar Mohamed, passed away today due to complications from COVID-19,” Omar said in a statement released by her office.
Omar and her father came to the US in 1995, seeking refuge from Somalia’s civil war. She has since become one of the first Muslim women, and the first hijabi, to be elected into the House of Representatives.
Omar’s campaign has included many stories of how she was mercilessly bullied as a child and she has previously recounted her father as being her constant support.
“They are doing this to you because they feel threatened in some way by your existence,” she remembered her father telling her.
Since COVID-19’s outbreak, Omar has battled legislation regarding rent and mortgage cancellation. In the last few days, COVID-19 cases have been declining in Minnesota.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiooun
READ MORE: Here’s How COVID-19 Affects Muslims During Ramadan
Rep. Ilhan Omar’s father has passed away from complications related to covid-19.
”Surely we belong to God and to Him shall we return … No words can describe what he meant to me and all who knew him. My family and I ask for your respect and privacy during this time.” pic.twitter.com/p8xllKygyG
— Aysha Khan (@ayshabkhan) June 16, 2020