First Muslim member of US Congress

The election of Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison as the nation's first Muslim member of Congress is a milestone for American pluralism. Ellison also became the first African American from Minnesota to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Ellison's election was accompanied by historic numbers of American Muslim voters going to the polls yesterday to make their voices heard.

"Tonight, we made history," Mr Ellison said in a victory speech to supporters. "We won a key election, but we did much more than that. We showed that a candidate can run a 100% positive campaign and prevail, even against tough opposition."

Throughout his campaign Ellison, a criminal defense attorney who converted to Islam as a college student, focused on issues that resonate in the 5th District in Minneapolis. Ellison says he became involved in politics in college after hearing about apartheid, and he converted from Catholicism to Islam.

"People draw strength and moral courage from a variety of religious traditions. Mine have come from both Catholicism and Islam," Ellison has said. "I was raised Catholic and later became a Muslim while attending Wayne State University. I am inspired by the Quran's message of an encompassing divine love, and a deep faith guides my life every day." Ellison's strength is that he brings together people of all faiths to work towards better policy.

Ellison said he wants to catalyze citizens of all income levels and races to have a voice in government. He reaches out to previously disengaged groups like students and immigrants to urge them to get involved. Already, his efforts have borne fruit: voter turnout shot up in his district during the September primaries.

"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," Ellison told the Associated Press.

This election should indicate to the Muslim community, that our vote counts. MPAC Executive Director, Salam Al-Marayati stated that "the only way towards success in American society is by civic engagement and political participation." Marayati also stated that "the effectiveness of this campaign was due to Ellison's ability to unite labor, minority communities and bring in people of all religions." The Muslim Public Affairs Council is hopeful that the balance of power in Washington, DC will bring forth a new energy and new perspectives on issues facing our nation today.

Ellison won 56 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Alan Fine and the Independence Party's Tammy Lee, both of whom garnered 21 percent of the vote.

In key elections throughout the country, candidiates are beginning to realize the impact of the Muslim electorate. The increasing interaction of Muslim communities with elected officials and candidates is a positive step in solving public policy issues. Aside from anti-Islamic rhetoric in political campaigns, what matters is getting out the vote and getting our voices heard.

The Muslim community demonstrated its importantce in this election and will continue to do so in future elections. In states like Virginia, the Muslim vote became the critical vote in tipping the balance on control of the US Senate. Ellison's victory and the rise of Muslim participation in politics are success stories for our country. It is imperative for Muslims to continue and develop the path for civic engagement.

Founded in 1988, MPAC is a public service agency working for the civil rights of American Muslims, for the integration of Islam into American pluralism, and for a positive, constructive relationship between American Muslims and their representatives.

Muslim Public Affair Council