Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ellison, celebrate Osama Bin Laden's death

​Heading off what we assume will be the inevitable attacks from right field about American Muslims not rejoicing in a sufficiently patriotic manner over the death of Osama bin Laden, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a formal statement today from the group's national office, applauding his death at the hands of American forces:

​"We join our fellow citizens in welcoming the announcement that Osama bin Laden has been eliminated as a threat to our nation and the world through the actions of American military personnel. As we have stated repeatedly since the 9/11 terror attacks, bin Laden never represented Muslims or Islam. In fact, in addition to the killing of thousands of Americans, he and Al Qaeda caused the deaths of countless Muslims worldwide. We also reiterate President Obama's clear statement tonight that the United States is not at war with Islam."

In a similar vein, Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, released this statement:

The death of Osama Bin Laden marks the most significant accomplishment yet in the war against Al-Qaeda. I commend the work of the U.S. Armed Forces and intelligence community for finding the world's most wanted terrorist. I also wish to recognize President Obama for his decisive leadership as Commander in Chief.

Today my thoughts are with the families of those Bin Laden murdered in the September 11th terrorist attacks. Even before 9/11, Bin Laden killed Americans and others at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and on the USS Cole.

Americans of all faiths recognized the end of a truly evil man last night. Osama Bin Laden was a murderer. I hope his death marks the beginning of the end of the Al-Qaedaism ideology.

Seems pretty clear.