The first Muslim elected to the Australian parliament, Ed Husic, was sworn in on Tuesday (28/9) with Al-Quran his hand.
Ed Husic, whose mother and father are Bosnian migrants, said it was a great honor to serve in Canberra. He acknowledged that his current position - as the first Muslim to become a member of the Australian parliament - is unique and a milestone in Australian political history.
"Given my background, there are some people who take a tiny sliver of pride or happiness," he told the newspaper The Australian (29 / 9).
Husic, who grew up in the Sydney area he now represents, won a parliamentary seat with the ruling Labor Party in the August 21 election.
He was among members of the Australian parliament sworn in by the head of the high court in Canberra last Tuesday. When sworn in, he holds Al-Quran, as befits a Muslim when swearing.
Commenting on his success in becoming a member of parliament, Husic described it as a "victory for Australian Muslims".
Australian Muslims make up about 1,7 percent of Australia's 22 million total population. (Mel / abna / ddhongkong.org). *
