November 8, 2006 10:24 a.m. EST
Nidhi Sharma - All Headline News Staff Writer
Minneapolis, MN (AHN) - Democrat Keith Ellison has been elected as the nation's first Muslim member of Congress on Tuesday after winning the Minneapolis-area district.
Ellison, who is also Minnesota's first nonwhite representative in Washington, admitted to having mixed feelings about being the first Muslim congressman.
"I wasn't trying to make any kind of political statement about my identity or anything when I ran," he said.
"I think the most important thing about this race is we tried to pull people together on things we all share, things that are important to everyone. We all need peace, and this Iraq policy is dangerous to our country," said Ellison, who is in favor of troop withdrawal from Iraq.
"I don't believe in abandonment of Iraq, I just don't think that we're going to have a military solution," he said.
However, Ellison, who is black, says his main aim is to help others understand that Muslims have much to contribute to America.
He also added that Muslims should know they are "welcome to the table of American politics."
The AP reports that Ellison will focus on promoting peace, setting up universal health care and fighting for middle class economic justice by increasing the minimum wage and addressing college affordability.
The Detroit, Michigan born leader also boasted about uniting labor, minority communities and peace activists during his election campaign.
"We were able to bring in Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists," he said. "We brought in everybody."
previous stories on third resurrection:
the lessons of keith ellison
keith ellison plays defense
ellison: the best hope
keith ellison and the nation
will minnesota send the first muslim to congress?
Nidhi Sharma - All Headline News Staff Writer
Minneapolis, MN (AHN) - Democrat Keith Ellison has been elected as the nation's first Muslim member of Congress on Tuesday after winning the Minneapolis-area district.
Ellison, who is also Minnesota's first nonwhite representative in Washington, admitted to having mixed feelings about being the first Muslim congressman.
"I wasn't trying to make any kind of political statement about my identity or anything when I ran," he said.
"I think the most important thing about this race is we tried to pull people together on things we all share, things that are important to everyone. We all need peace, and this Iraq policy is dangerous to our country," said Ellison, who is in favor of troop withdrawal from Iraq.
"I don't believe in abandonment of Iraq, I just don't think that we're going to have a military solution," he said.
However, Ellison, who is black, says his main aim is to help others understand that Muslims have much to contribute to America.
He also added that Muslims should know they are "welcome to the table of American politics."
The AP reports that Ellison will focus on promoting peace, setting up universal health care and fighting for middle class economic justice by increasing the minimum wage and addressing college affordability.
The Detroit, Michigan born leader also boasted about uniting labor, minority communities and peace activists during his election campaign.
"We were able to bring in Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists," he said. "We brought in everybody."
previous stories on third resurrection:
the lessons of keith ellison
keith ellison plays defense
ellison: the best hope
keith ellison and the nation
will minnesota send the first muslim to congress?
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