Unlike the Bible, the Koran is holy because it is viewed as the ACTUAL WORD OF GOD. ANY translation is a pale imitation of the original. The learning of Arabic is essential for any convert. In fact, most scholars of Islam dont refer to non-Arabic renderings of the Koran as “translations”–but rather as “interpretations.”

Thus, if Ellison was using the oath as something related to his religion, he would have used an actual Koran, rather than an English interpretation.

Probe a bit deeper, of course, and we should remember that the events leading up to the Barbary Wars (America’s first wars with Islamic polities) took place when Jefferson was Ambassador to France. More importantly, President Jefferson initiated the US attacks on the shores of Tripoli. Did Jefferson get a Koran to learn about the other side? If so, to his credit. But it might mean that Ellison’s use of Jefferson’s Koran has an even deeper irony than we realize!

The Sale’s Koran was the first genuine translation of the Koran into English. It’s been criticized by Muslims as being excessively paraphrasistic and consistently translating ’struggle’ i.e. jihad as physical struggle.

It wasn’t that odd for Jefferson to have a copy of the Koran. He was a true son of the Enlightenment and had a lively interest in religions other than Christianity.

Good job, Mr. Ellison!!!! Kudos to YOU, Sir…

Incoming House freshman Keith Ellison pulls off some brilliant politics and stagecraft by deciding to use Thomas Jefferson’s Koran for his swearing-in ceremony. With that he crushes opponents like Dennis Prager and Rep. Virgil Goode who complaine…

I think it’s brilliant politics. Ellison wraps himself around a patriot, makes his detractors look like fools, and the mention of his possible ties to Islamic radicals vanishes.