Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from Minnesota has come under fire for inaccurately asserting that the United States has historically launched attacks on Islamic nations during the holy month of Ramadan. Her comments stirred controversy, particularly as they were made ahead of the recent military actions involving Iran. On Thursday evening, Omar took to the platform X to air her grievances, alleging that the U.S. had bombed Iraq in 1990 during Ramadan.
Omar, 43, expressed her dismay in her post, stating, “It’s sickening to know that the US is again going to attack Iran during Ramadan.” As a practicing Muslim, she voiced her belief that the timing of these military actions reflects a pattern, suggesting, “The US apparently loves to strike Muslim countries during Ramadan, and I am convinced it isn’t what these countries have done to violate international law but about who they worship.”
While the timing of the recent U.S. operations in Iran coincides with Ramadan this year—spanning from February 17 to March 19—historical records indicate that previous military engagements in the Middle East did not occur during this sacred period. For instance, the U.S. invasion of Iraq, part of Operation Iraqi Freedom which marked the beginning of the Iraq War, commenced on March 20, 2003. This date falls well before the start of Ramadan that year, which began on October 26.
‘The US apparently loves to strike Muslim countries during Ramadan, and I am convinced it isn’t what these countries have done to violate international law but about who they worship.’
Although the Saturday attack of Iran by US forces is during the month of Ramadan, which runs from February 17 to March 19 this year, the other US attacks in the Middle East were not during the religious holiday.
The US invaded Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which started the Iraq War, on March 20, 2003 – seven months ahead of the October 26 start date of the Muslim holiday that year.
The US had also completed Operation Desert Storm, which was part of the Persian Gulf War, in the country on January 17, 1991, after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August of the year prior.
Ramadan started on March 17, 1991, two months after the attack.
Omar, 43, belligerently ranted days before the US struck Iran on Saturday that the country had a history of attacking Muslim countries during Ramadan, which is false
She claimed the timing of the attacks was a message about disliking Islam
The Muslim holiday occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which runs 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.
During this time, Muslims refrain from consuming food or drink from dawn to sunset, sex, smoking, and other negative behaviors, while increasing prayers and reading the Quran to deepen their faith.
Omar’s competitor, Dalia al-Aqidi, who is running for her spot in Congress, told the Muslim congresswoman to ‘sit this one out.’
‘As a Muslim Iraqi-American, I will not stay silent while my faith is turned into a propaganda tool,’ she wrote on X.
‘Claiming America “chooses Ramadan to attack Muslims” is not advocacy, it is a deliberate lie meant to inflame anger and divide Americans… So when this false narrative is pushed, it isn’t ignorance, it’s manipulation.
‘America deserves honesty, not political theater.’
Omar has turned the comment section off on the post.
She also kept the comments off on her latest post, where she claimed Trump has ‘launched an illegal regime change war’ by attacking Iran on Saturday.
President George W Bush (middle) in the Cabinet Room discussing Operation Desert Storm in January 1991
The US attacked Iraq in January 1991 as part of the Persian Gulf War. Ramadan started on March 17, 1991, two months after the attack. Iraqi prisoners are seen being herded by a Kuwaiti military helicopter as part of Operation Desert Storm
The US struck again on March 20, 2003 – seven months ahead of the October 26 start date of the Muslim holiday that year. US soldiers are seen in Iraqi territory on March 23, 2003
‘As someone who has survived the horrors of war, I know military strikes will not make us safer; they will inflame tensions and push the region further into chaos,’ she wrote.
‘When we abandon diplomacy, we choose destruction.’
President Donald Trump announced the latest US strike at 2.30am from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Saturday, warning American troops could be killed due to the dangerous Operation Epic Fury.
‘Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,’ the Republican said.
‘Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.’
Trump detailed some of the violence Iran has perpetrated against Americans, including taking over the US embassy in Tehran and holding US citizens hostage in 1979.
‘The regime’s proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years as well as US Naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes,’ Trump said.
‘It’s been mass terror, and we’re not gonna put up with it any longer.’
On Saturday, Omar claimed Trump has ‘launched an illegal regime change war’ by attacking Iran
On Saturday, the US and Israel attacked Iran, which responded with retaliatory strikes
Trump announced the attack at 2.30am on Saturday. Since then, several US military bases in the Middle East have been targeted
Trump’s surprise attack infuriated Congress, as he did not seek their approval for the strike, which is a prerequisite of war, according to the US Constitution.
Many lawmakers have branded the strike ‘illegal.’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly informed the bipartisan congressional ‘Gang of 8’ intelligence heads shortly before the strikes.
However, Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky and staunch anti-Trump lawmaker, and Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, plan to force a vote next week on their Iran War Powers resolution.
The legislation would block any action taken by the US military without prior congressional approval. It’s unclear how it would, if at all, impact Trump’s ongoing military campaign.
