A BRADFORD MP said she was proud to have hosted a US congresswoman who visited parliament yesterday.

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, welcomed Ilhan Omar, the U.S representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district.

Ms Omar is the first woman of colour to represent Minnesota, and is also the first naturalised citizen born in Africa and the first Somali-American in the United States Congress.

She is also one of the first two Muslim women to serve in Congress.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: L-R: Ilhan Omar, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Naz Shah MPL-R: Ilhan Omar, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Naz Shah MP

Ms Shah described her as an “inspiration” as she visited parliament for the first time.

The event was organised with Muddassar Ahmed, president of transatlantic leadership forum The Concordia Forum.

“I was so proud to host Ms Omar,” said Ms Shah.

“She has faced racism and Islamophobia, including from former President Donald Trump.

“However, Ms Omar’s strength when faced with such challenges are an inspiration to us all.

“Despite her challenges, the hatred, the divisions and the constant scrutiny that ordinary people in politics do not face, we see her fight on.

“As a fellow Muslim woman in politics, I understand her pain and struggle, as do so many others here.

“Representation matters and Ilhan shows just why it is so important to have people from diverse backgrounds in politics, to represent and make change.”