Deqa Dhalac is also believed to be the first Muslim ever elected to the South Portland City Council
Updated: 6:07 AM EST Dec 7, 2021
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine —
(DMTW8-ABC) A Maine official who is believed to be the first Muslim elected to the South Portland City Council is now the city’s mayor.
Deqa Dhalac was sworn in as mayor of the state’s fourth-largest city on Monday. Voters elected Dhalac to the council in 2018, and this year, the seven-member council decided to elevate her to the mayoral post. Her current term on the council expires in December 2023.
Dhalac immigrated to the U.S. from Somalia and has a background in social work. She represents the city’s fifth district.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, called Monday’s inauguration a sign of the increasing civil involvement of the American Muslim community.
“We hope Mayor Dhalac will help inspire a new generation of American Muslims as they take an increasing role in building a better society,” spokesperson Ibrahim Hooper said.
