Keith Ellison is The First Member of Congress to Perform The Hajj

Keith Ellison became the first member of Congress to perform the Hajj. Devout Muslims are expected to perform the Hajj at least once in their lives. The Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca is an annual event. Keith Ellison was the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress.


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http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2008/12/022292.php

"For some reason, no local or national media, print or broadcast, have reported on Ellison's pilgrimage to Mecca. But al Arabiya thought it was worthy of notice:

As Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of the U.S. Congress who performed Hajj this week, told CNN, you forget who you are -- black or white and American or African -- and where you come from when you are before God circling the Kaaba in a two-piece unstitched garment.

It's hard to know what to make of the reticence displayed by local, as well as national, media. One would think this would be a great human interest story: America's first Muslim Congressman journeys to Saudi Arabia to perform a set of rituals that is central to his faith. Yet not a word of it has leaked out.

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