Graduated From The University Of Detroit Jesuit High School

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison,

Keith Ellison said he sees the ISBCC as a wonderful tool for starting a conversation in Greater Boston about improving the relationship between the U.S. and the Muslim world.  Perhaps no one in the federal government is better suited to discuss the relationship between the U.S. and the Muslim world than U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, who has represented Minnesota’s Fifth District in Minnesota since taking office on Jan. 4, 2007. That day, he became the first Muslim member of Congress.

Ellison, who delivered the keynote address at last Saturday’s inauguration dinner at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel, converted to Islam at the age of 19 while a student at Wayne State University in his hometown of Detroit. He graduated from The University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, and noted in his remarks that even though he was raised Catholic, he grew up in a household that encouraged inclusion of all faiths and varying expressions of religious freedoms. 

During his speech, Ellison stressed the need to view the ISBCC as a “space,” not a “clubhouse,” to truly welcome people of all faiths. “A clubhouse implies ‘members only,’” Ellison repeated. To better serve the community and assist in improving U.S.-Muslim relations, Ellison urged those in attendance to ensure that the ISBCC represents itself as a platform for service. He also emphasized the importance of Muslims making their presence felt in the democratic decision-making process. “Will you discuss constitutional rights, human rights or health care rights at the center?” Ellison asked. “Now people don’t have to get in an airplane and fly eight hours to reach the Muslim world — you just need to go around the block,” the congressman said. “And that is something Boston, New England, the United States and the entire world can benefit from.” Ellison said he hopes that the ISBCC will invite people of all faiths, colors and cultures into the center, fostering dialogue on culture, art, history and pressing issues. “Issues cannot be solved by one religion, one race or culture — we need all voices,” he said. “This new space offers an opportunity as a place where people can come from diverse backgrounds to work on these issues.” 

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