Abdul El-Sayed Announces He Will Take Oath as U.S. Senator on the Holy Quran

In an interview with American media, El-Sayed confirmed his decision, saying he is considering choosing between two historical copies of the Holy Quran for the swearing-in ceremony.

The first option is the historic Quran that belonged to former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, which is preserved at the Library of Congress. The same copy was used in 2007 by Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of the U.S. House of Representatives, to take his oath of office.

The second possible choice is an ancient copy of the Holy Quran housed at the University of Michigan. According to El-Sayed, it has not yet been decided which of the two copies will be used during the ceremony. However, he confirmed that he will take his oath on the Holy Quran.

During the interview, El-Sayed also discussed religious freedom and the U.S. Constitution, stating that the Constitution grants every citizen the right to practice their religion and live according to their beliefs.

He emphasized that the true significance of the swearing-in ceremony lies not in the specific book on which a person places their hand, but in the commitment itself — the pledge by an elected representative to remain loyal to and uphold the U.S. Constitution.

The use of the Bible during swearing-in ceremonies has been a prominent tradition in American politics. However, the U.S. Constitution does not require anyone taking an oath of public office to place their hand on the Bible or any other specific religious text. Article VI of the Constitution also prohibits imposing religious requirements as a condition for holding public office.

El-Sayed secured victory in the U.S. elections held on November 3, 2026, defeating Republican candidate Mike Rogers. With this victory, he became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.

Previously, in 2007, Keith Ellison became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress. He took his oath of office with his hand on a historic copy of the Holy Quran that had belonged to Thomas Jefferson.

El-Sayed's decision to take his oath on the Holy Quran is being viewed as a significant development in terms of religious diversity, religious freedom, and Muslim representation in American politics. His swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for January 3, 2027.