Ellison warns Muslims not to “take the bait”
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison spoke with MPR's Tom Crann this morning about the controversy over a Florida pastor who wants to hold a Quran book burning on the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, says Muslims in this country and elsewhere shouldn't "take the bait." He's worried there will be violence that would just play into the stereotypes that led to the Quran burning in the first place.
Ellison also defended the pastor's right to burn the holy book. He said as a lawyer, an American and a Muslim he has to stand up for the guy's right to be incendiary, but that doesn't mean the guy's right.
You can listen to the full interview here:
Update: AP is reporting that the pastor cancels plan to burn Qurans on Sept. 11, heeding to outcry.
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