MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Ilhan Omar tweets 'Alhamdulillah' on Biden Inauguration Day, Internet says 'praise the American people' instead

The Arabic phrase which translates as 'praise be to God' was not appreciated by many who didn't like the religious invocation

Inauguration Day is finally here and the internet is abuzz with reactions over Donald Trump departing the White House with Melania Trump ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden taking the oath to become the 46th President of the United States. Among them is Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), one of the members of "The Squad," who tweeted "Alhamdulillah", an Arabic phrase that translates into 'praise be to God'.

Omar's tweet comes as Biden prepares to become the next president of a country facing an economic downturn, a once-in-a-century pandemic, and possibility of civil unrest following Trump's departure. The security preparations at the Capitol are high with tensions, following the failed insurrection attempt at the Capitol building on January 6 as members of Congress convened to certify the results of the 2020 presidential elections.

Following the riots, the House of Representatives, led by Democrats including Omar, moved to impeach Trump for a historic second time for "inciting an insurrection." The impeachment hearing will now move to the Senate, which is set to be represented by Republicans and Democrats equally after Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock take their oaths to become Senators for the state of Georgia today - with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris giving a slight edge for the Democrats.

Omar's tweet, "Alhamdulillah," seemed a notable curtain call for the end of Trump's presidency - over her two years as the representative, she has come under Islamaphobic attacks by pro-Trump supporters and Republicans in general.

While there were some supporters who seconded Omar's tweet, with one user tweeted, "Alhamdulillah Indeed @IlhanMN Last day of Trump is a dream come true", many have derided Omar's use of the phrase. A user tweeted, "Nah. No praise to no god. Praise the American people for kicking Trump to the curb. We did it everyone! Now to prosecute the insurrectionists and get us m4a."

Another user echoed that statement, tweeting, "Thank the American people. It’s so convenient to invoke ‘god’ for perceived positive outcomes...Enough magical thinking and pointless tweeting - get to work." A user pointed out the unrest in the Middle East that has persisted through multiple American presidencies, writing, "Alhamdulillah for what, exactly? for 4 more years of oppression of your fellow muslims in the middle east?"

However, many reflected on a hopeful four years as Biden becomes the president, hoping that the Democrat takes the country out of a period that has been called one of the worst crises to hit the country since the Great Depression and the Great Recession of 2008. One user tweeted, "Salaam, praying for peace in this new era. Let’s hold this new administration, and all those we elected to power, accountable for the change they have promised us. Celebrate today, but also remember the lives lost. A lot of work is needed for a better future! #Inauguration."

Earlier, Trump left the White House with wife Melania, flying to Joint Andrews base to give a farewell speech. "You are amazing people and this is a great, great country it is an honor and privilege to have been your president," he said, while the crowd chanted "Thank you, Trump" quite regularly.  He also said he would be watching and listening and that the future of the US was great. "We will be back, in some form," he said leaving an open-ended exit to his presidency. He also brought up the vets, the Space Force in his speech. "We love you. I can tell you that from the bottom of my heart. This has been an incredible four years. We've accomplished so much together," he said.