First Muslim in U S Congress hit over Koran use

CHICAGO, Dec 21 (Reuters) Plans by the first Muslim elected to the U S Congress to use the Koran as part of his swearing-in ceremonies have unleashed criticism from people who think he should use a Bible.

The flap involving Keith Ellison, a Democrat elected to the House of Representatives from Minnesota last month, deals more with symbol than substance since House members are sworn in as a group with no Bibles or other texts involved.

In fact the U S Constitution states that ''no religious test shall ever be required'' to hold public office.

But in a country where three out of every four people consider themselves Christian, the Bible has traditionally been used in ensuing unofficial ceremonies. These events among other things provide each member with an individual photo opportunity.

Ellison began hearing growls and gripes from the blogosphere and at least one conservative radio commentator after he said he would use the Koran in his unofficial ceremony.

The controversy grew this week with disclosure of a letter Rep.

Virgil Goode, a Virginia Republican, wrote to some of his constituents saying, ''The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don't wake up and adopt (my) position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran.'' He called for strict immigration policies, especially crafted to keep Muslims out of the United States.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations demanded that Goode apologize. Corey Saylor, national legislative director for the lobbying group, said Goode's comments were particularly odd given that Ellison was born in the United States and ''tells us he can trace his ancestry here to 1741.'' Rep Bill Pascrell, a New Jersey Democrat, fired off a letter to Goode saying, ''There are many valid policy questions regarding immigration that should be addressed by Congress, however promoting a fear and disrespect of Muslims is not only wrongheaded, but it is reckless.'' Reuters SY DB2311