You may recall that GOP Rep. Bill Sali generated some controversy last week after he criticized the delivery of a Hindu opening prayer in the Senate and condemned the election of freshman Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to serve in Congress.

Sali took some heat for saying that the country has been able to survive so long because of "the protective hand of God" and that events such as Ellison's election and the Hindu prayer create "problems for the longevity of this country."

Well, Sali has now apologized to Ellison.

Sali spokesman Wayne Hoffman told McClatchy News that Sali was unable to apologize in person to Ellison, who is out of the country, but the two have had an e-mail exchange that Hoffman characterized as "very pleasant and cordial in nature."

"He was hopeful that Congressman Ellison understands he meant no disrespect or harm from his comment, and that he hoped that he would meet with him when he returned to Washington, D.C.," Hoffman said.

Ellison's camp appeared to be magnanimous about the whole thing. "People have a bad day, they choose poorly chosen words ... he just simply doesn't choose to take any of that personally," said Ellison spokesman Rick Jauert.