Muslim congresswoman-elect says grandma prepared her for the ‘biggest bully’ — Trump
One of the first Muslim congresswomen came to Fresno on Saturday night and inspired the dozens of Muslim community members, as well as others, who gathered for her speech in downtown Fresno.
The occasion was an annual event hosted by the Council on American Islamic Relations. Saturday it featured keynote speaker Rashida Tlaib, a newly elected congresswoman from Michigan who had strong words for President Donald Trump.
Congressman-elect TJ Cox, a Filipino-American who declared victory in the Congressional District 21 race, also was at the event, which was held at the Radisson hotel.
Tlaib brought with her a message of inspiration on a night when CAIR staff and volunteers hoped to spread the organization’s mission of helping diverse communities. Thousands of dollars were raised by invited guests to continue funding operations at the organization’s California offices.
Tlaib’s visit to Fresno is one of her first speaking engagements since being elected to the House in November. For those in attendance, her visit was special.
“For communities that are often marginalized, that often don’t see themselves in positions of leadership, it’s very, very exciting for us to have congresswomen who are sharing similar values,” said Sukaina Hussain, a lead organizer with Faith in the Valley and the event’s emcee.
Evidently, Tlaib understood the significance of her visit, too. She used her time to praise the organization’s work and encourage Muslims to work alongside other communities. She said that’s what got her elected.
“I want you to be inspired and give you hope that it was non-Muslim, non-Arabs that elected us,” Tlaib said, referring to Ilhan Omar, the second Muslim congresswoman elected in November.
Tlaib voiced strong opposition to attacks on Muslim communities and said she will be a force in Congress against the president’s own actions that undermine the Muslim community, including in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Tlaib spoke about her grandmother, who hated bullies, she said, and would stand up for anyone regardless of their background.
“She just did not like bullies, she hated when people said ‘no’ to her,” Tlaib said. “And I don’t think she realized she prepared me for the biggest bully in the history of this country.”
Her remarks drew cheers and applause, even from Cox. The final vote has not been certified, but Cox has so far surpassed the district’s incumbent, David Valadao, and last week declared victory.
Cox also spoke to the group gathered. He shared that he appreciates the Muslim community after having spent time in the Middle East. He noted that the 116th Congress is the most diverse ever, and said it felt particularly special being in the same room as the newly elected Democrats in Congress.
“As I looked around the table, it was the face of America,” Cox said. “It was one of the proudest moments I’ve ever seen. It was the face of America and it was beautiful.”
This story was originally published December 1, 2018 at 10:06 PM.