Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed (D) revealed he plans to take his oath of office on the Quran, making him the first Muslim senator to do so. The historic announcement came during a recent NPR interview where he discussed potential copies of the Islamic holy book he might use for the ceremony.
“I will likely swear on a Quran. Which Quran, we’re not sure,” El-Sayed said. He mentioned two significant options: Thomas Jefferson’s 1765 copy, previously used by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), or a centuries-old Quran held by the University of Michigan.
Historical Precedent and Political Backdrop
Jefferson’s Quran resurfaced in 2007 when Ellison, then the first Muslim member of Congress, used it during his swearing-in. The founding father purchased the text while studying law, a fact documented by the Monticello historical site.
El-Sayed’s decision comes amid ongoing scrutiny of his political and religious affiliations. Breitbart reported in August that he maintains personal observance of Sharia law while rejecting claims of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. A former Brotherhood-linked political figure reportedly praised El-Sayed’s election as a “model” for Muslims in politics.
Controversy and Criticism
Some conservative voices have questioned whether Islamic teachings align with American governance. Sam Rohrer of the American Pastors Network argued in 2017 that Islam functions primarily as a political system rather than a religion, citing Sharia law as evidence.
El-Sayed isn’t the first U.S. official to use a Quran for swearing-in—New York City’s Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani did so in January. But his elevated national platform as a senator-elect ensures heightened attention to the symbolic act.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/12/watch-muslim-u-s-senator-elect-abdul-el-sayed-reveals-plan-for-his-oath-of-office-ill-swear-on-the-quran/