Thomas Jefferson.27s Qur.27an Quran oath controversy of the 110th United States Congress

mark dimunation, chief of rare book , special collections division, library of congress

on january 3, 2007, washington post announced ellison hold personal copy once owned thomas jefferson loaned him rare book , special collections division @ library of congress .

mark dimunation, head of rare book , special collections division @ library of congress (and former resident of congressional district ellison represents) said contacted in december 2006 ellison, told him wanted use koran special.

ellison spokesman rick jauert said keith paying respect not founding fathers belief in religious freedom constitution itself. ellison, told qur an anonymous letter, spoke associated press in phone interview. said using jefferson s qur makes point, demonstrates beginning of our country, had people visionary, religiously tolerant, believed knowledge , wisdom gleaned number of sources, including quran. visionary thomas jefferson not afraid of different belief system , ellison said. shows religious tolerance bedrock of our country, , religious differences nothing afraid of.