The first ever Somali-American elected politician has said she was racially abused in a taxi ride on the way to the White House to discuss policy ideas.
Ilhan Omar, who was recently elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, said she was harassed by the male taxi driver who allegedly called her Isis and threatened to remove her hijab.
Ms Omar detailed the incident in post on her Facebook page, writing that she was unsure how the aggressive encounter would end.
The 33-year-old wrote: "I spent yesterday afternoon at the White House, learning about policy ideas states could implement in the areas I am passionate about.
"On my way to our hotel, I got in a cab and became subjected to the most hateful, derogatory, islamophobic, sexist taunts and threats I have ever experienced.
"The cab driver called me ISIS and threatened to remove my hijab, I wasn't really sure how this encounter would end as I attempted to rush out of his cab and retrieve my belongs."
In her post, Ms Omar said she prayed for the man's "humanity" and for all those with racist hate "in their hearts".
She wrote: "I am still shaken by this incident and can't wrap my head around how bold being are becoming in displaying their hate towards Muslims.
"I pray for his humanity and for all those who harbour hate in their hearts."
The Minnesota politician fled the Somali civil war as a child, spending four years in a Kenyan refugee camp before moving permanently to the United States.
She has stated she will report the incident to authorities once she is safe back in Minneapolis due to the taxi driver knowing which hotel she was staying in Washington DC.
The Muslim politician has campaigned for affordable education, equal pay, criminal justice reform and environmentalism. She won the 60B House District with 80 per cent of the vote.
