Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 1:01am
First U.S. Muslim lawmker thrills crowd
The first Muslim elected to Congress urged a cheering crowd of Muslims in Dearborn, Mich., Sunday night to remain steadfast in their faith and push for justice.
"You can't back down. You can't chicken out. You can't be afraid. You got to have faith in Allah, and you've got to stand up and be a real Muslim," Keith Ellison said to loud acclaim.
Many in the crowd shouted "Allahu akbar" — God is great, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.
Detroit native Ellison, a Democrat elected to the House in November, has spurred a national debate over Islam and its role in politics. Ellison ignited criticism when he vowed to take his oath of office on the Quran, the Muslim holy book.
U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va., wrote in a letter to constituents that the election of Ellison and other Muslims poses a danger to the country. Ellison, however, speaking at the annual convention of the Muslim American Society and the Islamic Circle of North America, said Muslims can help teach America about justice and equality.
"Muslims, you're up to bat right now," he said. "How do you know that you were not brought right here to this place to learn how to make this world better?"
The five-day convention, which ended Monday, drew more than 3,000 Muslims from across the country for revival and reform. Ellison, who converted at college, made the speech at the Hyatt Regency convention site.
"On Jan. 4, I will go swear an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. I'll place my hand on the Quran," Ellison said while placing his hand on the podium as the crowd cheered.
"This controversy has ... made people dust off their Constitution and actually read it," he said.
"You can't back down. You can't chicken out. You can't be afraid. You got to have faith in Allah, and you've got to stand up and be a real Muslim," Keith Ellison said to loud acclaim.
Many in the crowd shouted "Allahu akbar" — God is great, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.
Detroit native Ellison, a Democrat elected to the House in November, has spurred a national debate over Islam and its role in politics. Ellison ignited criticism when he vowed to take his oath of office on the Quran, the Muslim holy book.
U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va., wrote in a letter to constituents that the election of Ellison and other Muslims poses a danger to the country. Ellison, however, speaking at the annual convention of the Muslim American Society and the Islamic Circle of North America, said Muslims can help teach America about justice and equality.
"Muslims, you're up to bat right now," he said. "How do you know that you were not brought right here to this place to learn how to make this world better?"
The five-day convention, which ended Monday, drew more than 3,000 Muslims from across the country for revival and reform. Ellison, who converted at college, made the speech at the Hyatt Regency convention site.
"On Jan. 4, I will go swear an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. I'll place my hand on the Quran," Ellison said while placing his hand on the podium as the crowd cheered.
"This controversy has ... made people dust off their Constitution and actually read it," he said.