First Muslim American lawmaker from Illinois begins working in a diverse legislature

It's difficult to overlook the historical markers scattered throughout Springfield, Illinois, the starting point of the political ambitions of U.S. presidents Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, as one strolls through the city's center under the enormous domes of the old and new state Capitol buildings.

Standing in front of the statue of the "Great Emancipator" outside the entryway to the modern Illinois state Capitol, Nabeela Syed stated, "It is weird to realize how Abraham Lincoln was in a similar position as me at one point."

Syed is very much thinking about history as she moves through the columns of well-polished hardwood desks and leather couches arranged on the ground of the Illinois House and Senate, even though Lincoln established his reputation at the ancient Parliament building just several blocks away.

Syed told Voice of America, "Our tour guide stated he genuinely snapped a photograph of Barack Obama within the exact area that myself and my family stood posing." "So, it's an awesome feeling to think of the heritage that existed here too in Springfield, and the tradition that we're contributing."

Making history

As the 103rd General session of Illinois begins, Syed and her comrade Abdelnasser Rashid are prepared to create their own history. They are the nation's first Muslim lawmakers to be chosen for the Statehouse.

Since Illinois has the greatest Muslim population per capita, Syed stated, "I certainly wish it happened sooner because I recognize the importance of representation."

In order to win her district in the Chicago suburbs in November, Syed vanquished an incumbent Republican.

Not only am I a Democrat, but I'm also an Indian American woman who practices Islam and wears a headscarf. "We overcame the things that many consider hurdles and turned our district," the author says of the ways in which she and her team engage their community and express their values.

Syed, who is 23 years old, is one of the youngest women to be elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. She takes office with several noteworthy firsts, including the first Black speaker, the very first female Republican House leader, and the strongest Asian American caucus in the General Assembly.

"As one of only two Muslims in the assembly and the first Palestinian elected, I also speak for a great number of oppressed people who have been clamoring for representation. Rashid, who now represents a Chicago area with a sizable Latino population, added "And I take that job very seriously.

"It is more about viewpoints, techniques, and position than just increasing the number of colored faces. Because of this, in my opinion, they received support from the general populace as well as just the Muslim community, according to Kikue Hamayotsu, a professor of politics at Northern Illinois University.

She attributes Rashid and Syed's electoral success to their concentration on and messaging on voter-relevant topics rather than necessarily their identities.

"The topics and ideas they discussed focused more on urgent, crucial concerns like reproductive health and abortion legality. In addition, Hamayotsu mentioned gender issues and religious freedom at a moment when religious conservatism is growing and influencing politics.

Rashid declared, "I think the significance of my election, Nabeela's election, and so many others is that it's not just Muslims." "It's people like elected Vietnamese refugee Hoan Huynh. people like the elected Korean-American Sharon Chung. The size of the Illinois legislature is an accurate reflection of the state's diversity. To ensure that our country intends to represent the desires of its citizens, this is something which we should take pleasure in and embrace. I believe that stronger, more vibrant democracies will lead to greater achievements for all of us.

'Our democracy is composed of us'

Rashid was optimistic about the message that his and Syed's elections sent to those from various backgrounds who may be considering their respective political careers as he looked back on a long, eventful day that would include his swearing-in ceremony.

"My victory inspires those that might have been reluctant to compete but now know they can. People have approached me and said, "I didn't think you could win, but now my eyes have been opened," he remarked.

Syed hopes that other women who cover themselves with the hijab would look to her as an illustration of what is feasible rather than what is not.

We make up our democracy, she told VOA. And we are helping to create a beautiful America.

Despite the fact that Illinois is a consistently "blue" state, Rashid and Syed's victories in the polls helped Democrats gain more ground in state politics as a whole. One of the strongest party majorities in state history is currently present in the 118-member Illinois House of Representatives, where 40 seats are held by Republicans and 78 by Democrats.