Keith Ellison breaks down in tears at Muslim hearings [VIDEO]
| Ellison breaks down. |
When it came his turn to testify and defend his faith, he broke into tears.
Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, started talking about 23-year-old Mohammed Salman Hamdani, a paramedic who died trying to save lives after the 9/11 attack in New York City. Hamdani grew up in Bayside, Queens. He was a high school football star. He loved Star Wars, Ellison said. Then, Ellison's voice started breaking.
"Mr. Hamdani bravely sacrificed his life to try and help others on 9/11.After the tragedy some people tried to smear his character solely because of his Islamic faith," Ellison said, as tears started running down his face. "Some people spread false rumors and speculated that he was in league with the attackers only because he was Muslim. It was only when his remains were identified that these lies were fully exposed. Mohammad Salman Hamdani was a fellow American who gave his life for other Americans. His life should not be identified as just a member of an ethnic group or just a member of a religion, but as an American who gave everything for his fellow Americans."
Ellison testified at King's hearing today.
CBS has the video:
Read Ellison's full testimony:
































