The first ever Muslim member of the U.S. Congress has taken his ceremonial oath of office with a Koran once owned by Thomas Jefferson.
Democrat Keith Ellison representing Minnesota, borrowed the holy Koran from the Library of Congress. Ellison is an African-American who converted to Islam while in college.
Ellison took the official oath of office earlier in the week during a public ceremony for the entire 435-member House, which does not involve the use of any religious books.
Syed Sayeed Ahmed, a Bangladeshi-American businessman lives in Burtonsville, Maryland. He spoke to us about the significance of Congressman Ellison’s election and oath taking. He spoke about the diversity of the nation and the opportunities it provides to an individual to succeed.
