Many 'firsts' in US politics: 1st Muslim woman lawmaker in Southern state of Georgia

By Halil Ibrahim Ciger

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ruwa Romman, the first Muslim woman elected to the legislature in the Southern US state of Georgia, pointed to a wave of ground-breaking "firsts" reshaping American politics.

Muslim Americans, who have organized in US states through the National Undecideds Movement and the AbondonBiden campaign, aim to express their discontent with the government's stance on Israel's war on Gaza at the ballot box by joining forces with other dissatisfied groups.

Nearly a year of Israel's attacks on Gaza have triggered an awakening among many Americans.

After President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race in July following his disappointing debate performance against his predecessor Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris was chosen as the new presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.

Undecided voters have been hopeful about Harris, but many now express disappointment.

Harris' declaration of support for Israel after she clinched the candidacy disappointed voters who were expecting a demand for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, an arms embargo, and a cut in foreign aid to Israel.

Though Harris has apparently signaled she may change course if elected, political observers say it is difficult for her to openly criticize Biden’s policies as she now serves under him and he is still in office.

- 1st Muslim woman elected to Georgia state legislature

Romman, who has been involved in politics in the Southern state of Georgia for a decade and won her current seat in 2022, said: “I was the first Muslim woman elected to the Georgia state house, so state level, and the first Palestinian elected anywhere in the entire state.”

“And you know, my journey, honestly, started where I was born in Jordan. My family moved me to Georgia when I was 8, along with my siblings,” she told Anadolu.

The US is well known for its steadfast support for Israel. According to a 2023 report by the Congressional Research Service, since 1948, Israel has received $158 billion in foreign aid from the US.

A request by a number of Democrats for Romman to deliver a two-minute address to the Democratic National Convention this August was denied, yet an Israeli-American family was allowed to take the stage and speak, a move that angered many.

On the convention, Romman said: “It's not sustainable to keep supporting a fascist right-wing government with our weapons, with our money. Even as disappointing as the convention was, it's a place where the, you know, the strongest Democratic supporters show up.”

“It's a big pep rally. The majority of them were supportive of (the) Uncommitted (group),” she said, referring to a group protesting Democrats’ failure to do more to stop Israel’s nearly one-year-old war on Gaza.

On the atmosphere at the convention in Chicago, Romman said: “They were wearing kaffiyehs and cease-fire pins and T-shirts. And so, the way I'm interpreting it is that for the first time, there is a pivot happening and things are changing.”

“The reality is that for the first time, the majority of the Democratic base supports us. That's never happened before,” she added.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Celik