US: First Muslim congressman takes oath of office on Koran
Washington (dpa) - Keith Ellison became the first Muslim congressman in US history on Thursday, taking the oath of office on a Koran that belonged to one of America's most revered founding fathers.
Ellison, a Democrat from Minnesota, was among 435 members of the House of Representatives to be sworn in as a group as Congress began its new session following elections in November. He later took a ceremonial oath of office on Islam's holiest book.
Ellison's decision to use the Koran was criticized by a handful of conservatives, who believe the Bible should be used for the oath.
Using the edition owned by Thomas Jefferson was aimed at symbolizing the freedom of religion that was strongly advocated by the nation's third president (1801-09) and author of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, Ellison has said.
Jefferson sold much of his vast collection of books to the Library of Congress in 1815.
Ellison, 43, converted from Catholicism to Islam as a college student. // © 2006 DPA
-
Related News
- Egypt PM in urgent talks over Muslim-Christian clashes
- US could have used Bin Laden's death to expose sympathizers
- Pakistan stunned by bin Laden's death
- Indonesian muslims express no sympathy on death of Osama bin Laden
- Revolution and the Muslim World
- Senator Lugar: Washington must pressure Russia on Moldova
- Republican majority taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives
- Why the Arab-Israeli conflict has not yet been resolved
- Tatars and Bashkirs pursue a more nationalist course
- Muslim social networks inside Russia increasingly diverse
- 10 most important world events of 2005
- The rise and fall of Saddam Hussein
- Iraq: Saddam Hussein and another ex-senior officials sentenced to death by hanging
- Analysis: Black Sea Rivalry
- Report: Saddam Hussein has been executed
- On 31 August Moldova celebrates the Language Day
- Sexual humiliation and torture of female protesters reported
- Saddam Hussein handed over to Iraqi authorities, say lawyers
- Saddam Hussein's execution could be within next 48-36 hours
- Deadly blast at checkpoint near Peshawar