Rashida Tlaib Will Wear a Traditional Palestinian Gown to Be Sworn Into Congress

Alyssa Hardy
Updated
She says she’s doing it for her mother.

Congresswoman-elect Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) will make history again when she is sworn into Congress in January 2019. On Instagram, she posted a photo of a traditional Palestinian Thobe, saying that would be her outfit for the swearing-in ceremony. She wrote in the caption, "Sneak peek: This is what I am wearing when I am sworn into Congress. #PalestinianThobe #ForMyYama."

A Palestinian Thobe is a traditional gown featuring embroidery that represents a person's town or city. "Yama" means mother in Arabic. Tlaib is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, and is one of the first two Muslim women to be elected to the United States Congress.

Her post garnered hundreds of comments from people who support her choice to represent her heritage during the historic ceremony. One person wrote, "It's beautiful. Thank you for representing what this country should be." Another added, "My heart is beating with pride knowing that you wearing the thobe will truly inspire more Muslims."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrYkJU5ASt3/

Tlaib is not the only new member of Congress making waves with her wardrobe. In November, Ilhan Omar (D-MI) put forth a bill that would allow her to wear her hijab on the House floor. Following that, state representative Ruth Buffalo (D-ND) was sworn into her position wearing traditional Native regalia.

Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: Ilhan Omar Wants to Change the Outdated Rule That Bans Hijab in Congress

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