Guess who went to Obama's Grandmama's big party in Kenya?

None other than first Muslim in Congress, Keith Ellison. (h/t Marked Manner.)

From the Star-Tribune article detailing his trip. Looks like Obama threw old Keith a bone to make up for throwing those Muslim sisters off the stage the other day:

Rep. Keith Ellison continued his efforts as an unofficial American ambassador on a recent trip to Africa. For Ellison, it was also an emotional trip of personal discovery.

The 10-day journey, which ended Monday, culminated in a July 4th reception at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Nairobi, Kenya, where Ellison met Sarah Hussein Onyango Obama, the grandmother of presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Describing the emotion of an African-American's first journey to Africa, he made the motion of lifting soil up to his face and holding it to his cheeks, a gesture suggesting profound respect.

What do you think Keith's carbon footprint is? Man, since getting into Congress he's put more miles on him than a Greyhound Bus.

The Minneapolis Democrat, known around the world as the first Muslim in Congress, just completed his ninth trip abroad, returning this week from Africa, where he was part of a seven-member congressional delegation.

About Mama Sarah:

Sarah Obama was the third wife of Obama’s paternal grandfather, Hussein Onyango Obama. She was just 16 years old when she married Obama’s grandfather, an older man who was her father’s friend.

Despite living in a village in Kenya, Mama Sarah is well aware of Sen Obama’s fame in the US, and has photographs of his successes on her walls. She is closely following the political campaign.

Sen Obama has visited his Kenyan relatives three times in Kogelo, while step-grandmother has gone to the US twice. The two speak to each other through an interpreter.

The account of the party for Obama's Muslim grandmama, twice removed, can be found here.


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