Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has faced significant backlash after making factually incorrect claims about United States military operations targeting Islamic countries during the holy month of Ramadan. The controversy erupted following her social media posts ahead of recent US strikes against Iran.
Inaccurate Historical Claims
Omar, a 43-year-old Muslim representative, posted on platform X on Thursday evening, asserting that the United States has a pattern of attacking Muslim nations during Ramadan. She specifically referenced the 1990 bombing of Iraq as occurring during the religious observance period. "And it's sickening to know that the US is again going to attack Iran during Ramadan," Omar wrote. "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."
Fact-Checking the Timeline
Historical records contradict Omar's assertions. While the recent US attack on Iran did occur during Ramadan, which runs from February 17 to March 19 this year, previous major US military operations in the Middle East took place outside the holy month.
The United States launched Operation Iraqi Freedom, marking the beginning of the Iraq War, on March 20, 2003. This was approximately seven months before Ramadan commenced on October 26 of that year. Similarly, Operation Desert Storm, part of the Persian Gulf War, concluded on January 17, 1991, with Ramadan beginning on March 17, 1991 - two months after the military campaign ended.
Political Backlash and Criticism
Omar's comments drew immediate criticism from political opponents. Dalia al-Aqidi, a Muslim Iraqi-American challenging Omar for her congressional seat, responded sharply on social media. "As a Muslim Iraqi-American, I will not stay silent while my faith is turned into a propaganda tool," al-Aqidi wrote. "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 disabled comments on her controversial post and maintained this setting on subsequent posts, including one where she accused former President Donald Trump of launching "an illegal regime change war" through the Iran strikes.
Understanding Ramadan
Ramadan represents the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which operates 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. During this sacred period, observant Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn until sunset. The month emphasizes increased prayer, Quranic reading, and spiritual reflection to deepen faith and practice.
Recent Military Action and Political Fallout
The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of recent US military action against Iran. President Donald Trump announced the strikes at 2:30 AM from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, describing the operation as necessary to defend American interests. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," Trump stated. "Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world."
The president cited historical grievances including the 1979 takeover of the US embassy in Tehran and hostage crisis, along with recent attacks on American forces and vessels in the Middle East.
Constitutional Concerns and Congressional Response
Trump's decision to launch strikes without prior congressional approval sparked constitutional concerns among lawmakers. Many have labeled the action "illegal," noting that the US Constitution requires congressional authorization for war declarations. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly briefed bipartisan intelligence leaders shortly before the operation, this did not satisfy all members of Congress.
Representatives Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, and Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, plan to introduce an Iran War Powers resolution that would block military actions without congressional approval. The legislation's potential impact on ongoing operations remains uncertain.
Omar expressed her opposition to the military strikes, writing: "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. When we abandon diplomacy, we choose destruction."
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between factual accuracy and political rhetoric in discussions about US foreign policy, religious sensitivity, and military intervention in the Middle East.
