WASHINGTON — A number of Democratic lawmakers will bring Muslim guests with them to Tuesday night's State of the Union address — an effort, they say, to combat stereotypes about Muslims.
Each member of Congress is allowed to bring one guest with them to the speech, which is held in the U.S. Capitol in the House chamber. Members of Congress often choose their guest to make a political point.
The effort was organized by Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat and the first Muslim elected to Congress, who said they wanted to combat “hateful rhetoric” about Muslims that's been dredged up in the presidential primary. A local CBS affiliate reported on the initiative.
“This rhetoric and these actions are simply un-American,” reads a letter co-authered by Wasserman Schultz and Ellison that urges members of Congress to bring Muslim guests with them to President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address. “They undermine our values and weaken our ability to be a force for good around the world.”
.@DWStweets combats anti-Muslim prejudice, aims fire at Republicans, with her #SOTU guest https://t.co/xxqX6WHtyK pic.twitter.com/sEd10CMcov— Broward Politics (@browardpolitics) January 11, 2016
This year, at least 13 Democratic members of the House and Senate will be accompanied by Muslim guests.
They include Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts, who is bringing Ahmad Khalaf, a 9-year-old Syrian refugee who lost both of his arms in a bombing in his country, and Rep. Grace Meng, D-New York, who is bringing New York City Police Department Lt. Adeel Rana.
Welcome to Washington, Ahmad! #AhmadinDC #AirandSpaceMuseum #SOTU pic.twitter.com/efjc5RNdPe— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 12, 2016
So honored that Ahmad will be joining me at tomorrow night's SOTU #refugeeswelcome https://t.co/m48jYUkDiY pic.twitter.com/lUj97gKgcz— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 11, 2016
I'll be bringing a #Muslim #NYPD lieutenant to #SOTU address to help combat rising anti-Muslim sentiment in U.S. https://t.co/ib8sf7ZOPf— Grace Meng (@RepGraceMeng) January 11, 2016
Other guests in attendance at Tuesday's speech include Refaai Hamo, the Syrian refugee featured on Humans of New York, who was invited by Obama himself.
Refaai, a scientist who lost so many loved ones in the conflict in Syria, now proudly calls Michigan home. -mo #SOTU pic.twitter.com/qXF4e6LYcy— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) January 12, 2016
Kim Davis, the county clerk in Kentucky who refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses after the Supreme Court legalized them this spring, will attend the speech. The Family Research Council, a conservative group that is against same-sex marriage and abortion rights, helped Davis secure her seat, but it's unclear which member of Congress it is that invited her.
Kim Davis invited to SOTU by Rep. Jim Jordan, according to Dem aide. (Jordan's shop hasn't responded to email)— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) January 12, 2016
Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff on the case that led the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage, will also sit in the audience as a guest of first lady Michelle Obama.
Below are tweets from members of Congress who are bringing Muslim guests with them to the House chamber for the State of the Union.
Salma Ahmad will be my #SOTU guest; she's done great work to promote understanding of Islam in OR. https://t.co/oi7u0YxJTa— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) January 12, 2016
At tonight's #SOTU, I'm honored to be joined by Adnan Khan, a local Muslim leader whose experience bridging communities is just what we need— Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) January 12, 2016
Honored to have Asima Silva of #Holden join me for State of the Union. A true leader in our #Muslim community. https://t.co/TuAV4wb0UK #SOTU— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 11, 2016
Honored to bring Alderman Samba Baldeh, a local Muslim community leader, to the State of the Union Address: https://t.co/DyUvRXOTru— U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) January 7, 2016
On @pritheworld with my #SOTU guest @AlaaBasatneh talking about the #refugeecrisis and #Syria. pic.twitter.com/GLwLyRfE7r— Mike Quigley (@RepMikeQuigley) January 12, 2016
Meet Abdirahman Kahin. This year, I have the privilege of bringing Abdirahman with me to the #SOTU https://t.co/4zNGHX3VsJ— Al Franken (@alfranken) January 7, 2016
Iran hostage Amir Hekmati's sister, Sarah, to be @RepDanKildee guest at SOTU #FreeAmirNow https://t.co/w8vWJtetxZ pic.twitter.com/eNYI6KuaLo— Bridget Johnson (@Bridget_PJM) January 7, 2016
It is my honor to welcome Dr. Ramy Kurdi as my guest tonight at the @POTUS #SOTU address to Congress. #FreeAmirNow pic.twitter.com/uHWVTxTdBN— Matt Salmon (@RepMattSalmon) January 12, 2016