Muslim Dem’s Intern Program Comes With Religion Test, And She Doesn’t Want White Christians

A Colorado Democrat state senator is looking for an intern for the upcoming legislative session, but the job comes with a catch — and it’s raising questions about whether the qualifications are legal.

Iman Jodeh, who in 2020 became the first Muslim elected to the state legislature, posted a flyer Monday for an internship program for the MENASA (Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian) & Muslim Caucus. Founded in 2024 by Jodeh and Democrat state Rep. Yara Zokaie — whose family is from Iran — the caucus’s mission, in its own words, is to protect civil rights and to fight against xenophobia and Islamophobia.

According to the flyer, the duo is only seeking an intern who identifies as “Muslim and/or as Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian.”

 

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A post shared by Senator Iman Jodeh (@imanforcolorado)

After Libs of TikTok posted a screenshot of the flyer on X, critics wondered how the reaction would differ if a lawmaker sought only Christian or caucasian interns.

“Imagine a Republican posting an internship for Christians or Northern Europeans only. It would be wall to wall coverage by lunch,” one person wrote.

“So a state senator can hire interns by religion now? Colorado Republicans would be in court by lunch if they tried that,” another said.

One commenter claimed this was not the first time the Democrat had done this.

“This is not a new game by Jodeh. I tried to apply [in] 2023. I was ‘Muslim-ish.’ All right. So I’m Jewish. I never even received the courtesy of a turn down for my application.”

In an X post from November 2023, Jodeh posted a flyer for an intern for her office at the Capitol, but with the qualification that they identify as “Muslim or Arab.”

Looking for an internship for this upcoming year? The second annual Arab or Muslim Legislative Internship for the 2024 legislative session is now accepting applications! Please email your resume & cover letter to [email protected] by December 4th to be considered. https://t.co/65MwCj8rtC

— Rep. Iman Jodeh (@ImanforColorado) November 22, 2023

The Daily Wire reached out to Jodeh for comment.

When the Joint MENASA and Muslim Caucus was created after the 2024 elections, Jodeh said in a statement that the caucus was needed to “ensure” representation, including for those who are Sikh, Baháʼí, Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian from MENASA heritage.

“This past year and an impending Trump administration has underscored the need to create a united caucus that ensures our community’s representation and presence is elevated and has an uncompromising agency at the Capitol,” Jodeh said.

“These communities also face anti-Arab and anti-Brown hate crimes, xenophobia, and discrimination,” she added. “Our region and population are unique because we are forced to identify primarily through religious narratives rather than our unified identities. It is time to challenge this monolithic framing.”

Jodeh, whose parents were born in Palestinian villages just outside of Jerusalem, is also the founder of Meet the Middle East (MTME) a group “dedicated to fostering relationships” between America and the Middle East.

“For over a decade, I led Coloradans through one of the world’s most misunderstood regions, using education and immersive travel to replace fear with connection and to humanize stories too often ignored,” her site reads. “MTME taught me that education, especially when grounded in lived experience, has the power to shift narratives, open hearts, and ignite lasting change.”