Keith Ellison may become Congress’s first Muslim

[PsychoDad]

Keith Ellison may become Congress’s first Muslim
By Aaron Blake
http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Campaign/052406.html

With a fast-growing U.S. population estimated around 5 million, Muslims are increasing their voice in local and national politics every year. But thus far they haven’t had one of their own in a national position of power in Congress, the Cabinet or the Supreme Court.

He didn’t know it at the time, but Keith Ellison took a large step toward changing that earlier this month when he won the Democratic endorsement for the seat of retiring Rep. Martin Sabo (D-Minn.) in one of the safest Democratic districts in the country.
...

Ellison, who supports abortion rights, is calling for an immediate withdrawal of troops in Iraq because, he said, Iraqis and Americans both want them out and the war has cost too much. He disagrees with the route the House has taken on illegal immigration — turning “hardworking immigrants into felons” — and added that he supports a path to citizenship.

“I think it’s time for the United States to see a moderate Muslim voice, to see a face of Islam that is just like everybody else’s face,” Ellison said. “Perhaps it would be good for somebody who is Muslim to be in Congress, so that Muslims would feel like they are part of the body politic and that other Americans would know that we’re here to make a contribution to this country.”

More at link.
Insha Allah Brother, Insha Allah.

[otherlander]

1. Wow...I didn't even realise that we'd never had a Muslim in Congress.

That's kinda sad...

Well, good luck to the man!

[PsychoDad]

2. It's also great

That he's an Anti-War Dem who's pro-choice.

We can use more of those, regardless of religion.

Peace.

[Orrin_73]

3. There is also Oz Bengur

He is a second generation Turkish American, but I dont know whether he is a muslim. He is als a dem.
Oz Bengur

[xultar]

4. It's a shame we haven't had a Muslim in congress before. I'm glad

though Keith is headed towards a seat.