Keith Ellison
The first Muslim elected to the US House of Congress discusses his conversion to Islam.
Keith Ellison made history when he became the first Muslim to be elected to the US Congress in 2006.
Born into a Catholic family he converted to Islam when he was 19 years old, at a time when he was looking to find something in his spiritual life that would guide him towards positive social change and justice.
His religion has caused him some troubles and controversy in the corridors of power, most notably when he was sworn in to Congress on the Quran.
Ellison is a Democrat and supported Barack Obama, the US president, over Hillary Clinton to lead the party in the 2008 presidential elections.
He talks to Riz Khan about the roots of his political life and how religious diversity within his family prepared him for life as a Muslim politician in the US.
This episode of One on One can be seen from Saturday, February 20, at the following times GMT: Saturday: 0030, 1630; Sunday: 0430, 2330; Monday: 0300, 1230.