Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison — who in 2006 became the nation's first Muslim elected to Congress — will offer his take on improving tolerance and civility in society at an interfaith forum.

The forum entitled "The Generosity of Inclusion: Everybody Counts, Everybody Matters" is scheduled for Thursday, from noon to 1 p.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis.

Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Churches, the forum promises that Ellison will offer "his own message of tolerance, understanding and civility" in light of the recent shootings of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others in Arizona and President Obama's call for improved civil discourse.

Music will precede the presentation and a public reception with Ellison follows the forum. The event is free and open to the public.