A Colorado Democratic state senator is facing scrutiny over an internship program that appears to restrict applicants based on religion and ethnicity, raising potential legal concerns.
State Sen. Iman Jodeh, who made history in 2020 as Colorado’s first Muslim legislator, posted a flyer Monday seeking an intern for the MENASA & Muslim Caucus. The qualification states applicants must identify as “Muslim and/or as Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian.”
Legal and Ethical Questions Raised
The posting quickly drew criticism online after being shared by Libs of TikTok, with commenters questioning whether such religious or ethnic qualifications would be accepted if applied to other groups. “Imagine a Republican posting an internship for Christians or Northern Europeans only,” one social media user wrote.
This isn’t the first time Jodeh has faced questions about internship criteria. Last November, she posted a similar call for applicants identifying as “Muslim or Arab.” One commenter claimed their Jewish application in 2023 went unanswered.
Caucus Defends Representation Goals
Jodeh co-founded the MENASA & Muslim Caucus with Rep. Yara Zokaie in 2024 to combat xenophobia and Islamophobia while representing diverse religious groups from the region, including Sikh, Baháʼí, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities.
“This past year and an impending Trump administration has underscored the need to create a united caucus that ensures our community’s representation,” Jodeh said in a statement when establishing the caucus.
The senator, whose parents were born in Palestinian villages near Jerusalem, also runs Meet the Middle East, an organization focused on cultural education about the region.
The Daily Wire reached out to Jodeh for comment on the current controversy but had not received a response at the time of reporting.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/muslim-dems-intern-program-comes-with-religion-test-and-she-doesnt-want-white-christians