Ilhan Omar has made history by becoming the first Somali-American to be sworn in as a lawmaker in the United States (US).

Ms Omar, a Somali-born former refugee, was elected to serve in Minnesota's state house of representatives in tightly contested elections last year.

Ceoafrica gathered that the election of Ms Omar, who is Muslim, came just days after US President-elect, Donald Trump accused Somali immigrants in Minnesota of "spreading their extremist views".

Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American lawmaker in the US, has "pledged to be the best she can be" as she serves while taking her oath of office with the Koran in Minnesota, US.

“We are privileged to be people that can live in unity and diversity, and we are privileged to have one another. So as much as I pledge to you to be the best that I can be, I hope you will pledge to me to be the best you can be as well.” Ilhan pledged.