Rindomenceslao
Forumer storico
congresso USA...
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First Muslim in US Congress 'sends message'
WASHINGTON: Democrat Keith Ellison, an African-American convert to Islam, became the first Muslim ever to be elected to the US House of Representatives, where he will represent the largest city in the northern state of Minnesota.
Ellison was elected by a 56 percent majority by the city of Minneapolis and some outlying suburbs, winning over three rivals for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District.
The district has been a safe haven for Democratic candidates since 1963, election returns showed.
"We believe his election will send a powerful message to the world about America's commitment to religious inclusion and tolerance," said Nidad Awad, executive director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, an umbrella organization linking 11 Islamic organizations, before the vote.
The highest elected office ever reached in the US by a Muslim is state senator. Larry Shaw, a Black Muslim, has been a state senator in North Carolina since 1996.
The last Muslim to seek a seat in Congress was Saudi Arabian-born US citizen Ferial Masri, who ran unsuccessfully in California in 2004.
Ellison easily won the four-way scramble after Representative Martin Sabo surprised Minnesota Democrats by announcing his retirement earlier this year.
Since the terrorist attacks on Sep 11, 2001, Muslims in the US have suffered having their loyalty questioned. In the campaign, Ellison was blamed across the board of having relationships with terrorist organizations, and was criticized for his earlier work with the Nation of Islam.
The race - one of hundreds across the US in the midterm election - was closely watched because a Muslim holding high public office in the US is quite rare.
With election results still trickling in across five time zones in the hard-fought mid-term battle for control of Congress, Democrats have recaptured the majority of the 435 seats in the House and the majority of state governorships from Republicans after a 12-year hiatus.
incredibile ragazzi sono arrivati anche li'...
di chi parlo???
dei musulmani purtroppo...
leggete qui
First Muslim in US Congress 'sends message'
WASHINGTON: Democrat Keith Ellison, an African-American convert to Islam, became the first Muslim ever to be elected to the US House of Representatives, where he will represent the largest city in the northern state of Minnesota.
Ellison was elected by a 56 percent majority by the city of Minneapolis and some outlying suburbs, winning over three rivals for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District.
The district has been a safe haven for Democratic candidates since 1963, election returns showed.
"We believe his election will send a powerful message to the world about America's commitment to religious inclusion and tolerance," said Nidad Awad, executive director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, an umbrella organization linking 11 Islamic organizations, before the vote.
The highest elected office ever reached in the US by a Muslim is state senator. Larry Shaw, a Black Muslim, has been a state senator in North Carolina since 1996.
The last Muslim to seek a seat in Congress was Saudi Arabian-born US citizen Ferial Masri, who ran unsuccessfully in California in 2004.
Ellison easily won the four-way scramble after Representative Martin Sabo surprised Minnesota Democrats by announcing his retirement earlier this year.
Since the terrorist attacks on Sep 11, 2001, Muslims in the US have suffered having their loyalty questioned. In the campaign, Ellison was blamed across the board of having relationships with terrorist organizations, and was criticized for his earlier work with the Nation of Islam.
The race - one of hundreds across the US in the midterm election - was closely watched because a Muslim holding high public office in the US is quite rare.
With election results still trickling in across five time zones in the hard-fought mid-term battle for control of Congress, Democrats have recaptured the majority of the 435 seats in the House and the majority of state governorships from Republicans after a 12-year hiatus.
