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Oath Of Office causes
Unwarranted Controversy

By Celine LeDuc & Ann Wilmer

03 December, 2006
Countercurrents.org


Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn. is causing a controversy before he even makes one political decision, because he is a Muslim. The first Muslim elected to the United States Congress has announced that he will take his oath of office on the holy book of his faith -- the Qur’an.

Contextually, religion plays a big part in his life. He is a former Catholic who converted to Islam, is linked to the Nation of Islam and was endorsed by CAIR (Council of Islamic Relations). It is politically incorrect to attack his race so, the next best thing, is to focus on his religion. In a recent e-mail to his followers, Donald Wildmon, of American Family Association,
looks past Ellison’s qualities as a leader, judging him instead on his religious beliefs.


Would a white Buddhist attract so much attention? Does his faith or his links to the Nation of Islam cause this controversy? Or is it plain and simple bigotry on the part of some self-righteous Christians. Rumors, gossip and hearsay are at the center of the controversy. The negativity of some American and Canadian journalists and commentators paint a very bleak and narrow-minded view of an individual with links to both Catholics and Muslims. The Nation of Islam it is alleged to be anti-Semitic, anti-white and racist – the flipside of white supremacy. Yet no one has retraced those allegations to the sources and examine their attitudes toward
African-Americans? Are the accusers racist? Are they anti-African-American? Do they know any “Black” Muslims or have they just watched televised reports and taken the words of journalists and reporters as gospel truth?


Recent events related to the rise of groups such as al-Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood, have caused Westerners to view Muslims as terrorists and enemies of all Christians. Perhaps they should make comparisons to the actions of Western Christians in the Muslim world. In some parts of the West, even Catholics are viewed suspiciously. People of African descent, too, are often shunned. In group meetings, political rallies or functions at white churches, how often are African-Americans are invited to speak? How many African-American leaders wield influence outside politics? Should Christians of European descent not take a long and hard look at their attitudes and habits before calling anyone else a racist? Jesus of Nazareth suggested that he who is without sin should cast the first stone.


Minnesota voters sent a positive response to his political message when the elected Ellison based on his accomplishments and his track records. Ellison is a role model for young black Americans. He is a well-educated, articulate man who saw adversity, seized the challenge, took action and won. It is a personal and community victory irrespective of his religious beliefs, In the United States, Church and State are separate. Ellison has a clear mandate from the people of Minnesota. Allow him prove himself a leader; judge him by his decision-making instead of his skin color and/or his religion. Let us respect his religious convictions, and be sworn in according to his beliefs. The United States was founded on religious freedom.


It won’t be long before Minnesotans, and the rest of America, knows if Ellison is a unifying factor or a segregationist. He can demonstrate compassion and understanding based on his grounding in multiple religious traditions. If he can speak to others on their level; offer guidance and model acceptance of diversity, he can be an asset to his constituents and inspire young people to vote and become politically active. Ellison must stand for re-election in two years. Minnesota voters will judge him on his accomplishments and not whether he was swore his oath of office on a Bible or a Qur’an.

About the authors

Celine LeDuc is an activist in women issues and writes part time for various publications on diverse topics. Her dream is to put into action the dream Sojourner Truth or Malcolm X, because when there is equity there is a possibility for unity. She dreams of a world when the words and actions of Martin Luther King and Rosa Park are put into action in her world. She dreams of the day when white men or women stand-up and offer a seat to a black woman or man and kids are friends based on their affinity or character and not their skin color, religion or place of birth.

Ann Wilmer is an activist for adoption reform and divides her time between teaching media studies at Salisbury University and the active practice of public relations for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.



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