Q: Are the Muslim members of Congress required to take the normal oath of office with their hands on the traditional Bible? If so, are there any that refused to do so?
RICHARD CRISWELL, MONROE
A: A variety of books and documents have been used by members of Congress taking the oath of office. A CNN story earlier this month notes that the Quran, Eastern Orthodox Bible and U.S. Constitution were among the more than a dozen items used by the 116th class of Congress.
“Senators and representatives can take oaths of office on any book they desire,” according to the story. “According to the U.S. Constitution, they are only bound ‘by oath or affirmation’ to support the Constitution and no religious test is required as a qualification for office.”
New Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) used her Quran, according to thehill.com. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who along with Tlaib are the first Muslim women to serve in the U.S. House, used her grandfather’s Quran.
Omar said in a tweet, “As a kid, I acted as my grandfather’s translator at our caucuses and he was the one who first sparked my interest in politics. I wish he could be here to witness this historic moment, but he was here in spirit as I placed my hand on his Quran for the ceremonial swearing in.”
Q&A on the News runs Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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