AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Following an attack by a right-wing extremist on Ilhan Omar, a Muslim member of the US Congress from Minnesota, in the city of Minneapolis, a wave of reactions has emerged over the role of the political climate and hate-driven rhetoric in inciting violence.
According to reports, the assailant attacked Omar with a syringe containing an unknown liquid. She was not injured, and the suspect was arrested. Critics, however, say the incident occurred against the backdrop of years of verbal attacks and sustained accusations targeting the congresswoman.
Critics argue that since entering Congress in 2019, Ilhan Omar has been the target of repeated accusations by some US officials, political figures, and pro-Israeli regime lobbying groups. Former US President Donald Trump and several Republican lawmakers have, at various times, made harsh and controversial statements against her—remarks that observers say have contributed to the normalization of anti-Muslim hatred in the public sphere.
Some Democrats have also, in recent years, criticized Omar’s positions on US foreign policy and the role of political lobbies. Meanwhile, civil rights groups stress that there is a direct link between such political discourse and the rise in threats and violence against minorities.
The attack comes at a time when Minneapolis has, in recent years, witnessed protests over US immigration policies, with tensions rising, particularly among immigrant and Muslim communities. Observers warn that the continued use of hate-filled rhetoric could further endanger the safety of elected officials and vulnerable social groups.
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