In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Feed the hungry, visit the sick and set free the captives.” Sahih Al-Bukhari 

“On the Day of Judgement every soul will come pleading for itself and every soul will be paid in full for what it has done, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.” The Holy Quran, 16:111 

CAIR-OK to Host Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol | CAIR Welcomes Resignation of Texas Police Chief Who Used N-Word | CAIR, CAIR-NJ Welcome Guilty Plea in Racist Harassment of Black Woman in Md.

CAIR-OK to Host 8th Annual Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol  

On Thursday, March 10, the Oklahoma Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) will host its 8th Annual Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol. This is the first in-person Capitol event CAIR-OK will be hosting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

More than 100 Oklahoma Muslims and their interfaith supporters are expected to take part in a day of education, engagement, and advocacy. Highlights of the program include opening remarks at 9:30 a.m. on the 2nd floor rotunda and a keynote speech by Senator Carri Hicks at 11 a.m. in room 100. 

WHAT: Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol  

WHEN: Thursday, March 10, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani, 405-248-5853, asoltani@cair.com  

SEE EVENT LISTING HERE: https://www.cairoklahoma.com/event/mdac2022/  

“After a little more than two years away from the Capitol due to the COVID pandemic, the Oklahoma Muslim community is eager to return and engage with our elected officials ensuring our community is seen and heard,” said CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani. “We truly believe that in order for our legislators to represent the diversity of their community, they must know their community first and this is our way of providing them with that opportunity.”  

This year’s Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol focuses on reconnecting with elected leaders in a post-pandemic world and ensuring the voice of the Muslim community is heard in the halls of our Capitol building. The program will feature presentations from Oklahoma Progress Now, the ACLU of Oklahoma, Senator George E. Young, Sr., Representative Mauree Turner, and a keynote speech from Senator Carri Hicks.  

“Every member of our community, but especially those who face prejudice and marginalization, should make their voices heard at the legislature,” said CAIR-OK Civil Rights Director Veronica Laizure. “The only way for us to make an impact on our state policy is to participate in every step of the process.”  

CAIR-GA: Bill Inspired by Backlash to 2020 Racial Justice Protests Clears Georgia Senate Panel 

Georgia legislators should be more focused on mass incarceration and other criminal justice problems, said Kareem El-Hosseiny, director of government affairs for the Georgia chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations. 

“We’re all here debating a bill that would curtail our constitutionally protected rights,” he said. “Even now, as I speak, truckers from all around the country are gathered in our nation’s capital, doing loops around the Capital Beltway tying up traffic, all to protest the government imposed COVID-19 protocols. 

“If SB 171 were to pass, the truckers’ protest would very likely be unlawful if it happened in this state,” El-Hosseiny said. 

Video: CAIR-WA ED Says Mosque Hit-and-Run Could Have Caused ‘Dozens of Injuries’ 

CAIR: Muslim Advocacy Group Supports Dropping Confederate Holidays 

CAIR: SC Councilman Wears Confederate Flag Shirt to Black and Hispanic Youth Event 

CAIR-San Antonio Welcomes Resignation of Police Chief Who Used Racist N-Word Slur 

Chief Brian Jackson, who was on leave pending the results of an investigation, resigned Tuesday. City officials voted unanimously to accept his resignation. Jackson allegedly used the N-word at least three times at a crime scene on Feb. 5. The slurs were recorded on an officer’s body camera. 

“We welcome this resignation as a clear indication that racism will not be tolerated by elected officials or law enforcement authorities in our state,” said CAIR-San Antonio President Sarwat Husain. 

CAIR, CAIR-NJ Welcome Guilty Plea in Racist Harassment Targeting Black Woman in Maryland 

The man reportedly sent anonymous texts in which he used racial slurs and threatened the woman and her family, telling her to “eat my bullets” and that he knows where she lives. The man also reportedly threatened to rape the woman’s family. The man pled guilty to making threatening interstate communications and faces up to five years in prison.  

“These horrific messages of hate remind us of the danger of racism in our society,” said CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “We welcome the guilty plea in this case and urge law enforcement to take all cases of racist harassment seriously.” 

“We condemn this abhorrent act of hate and welcome the guilty plea,” said CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut. “Communities in New Jersey, Maryland and nationwide must come together to oppose the rising tide of violent racism and bigotry.” 

CAIR-Missouri Welcomes Charges in Racist Vandalism Targeting Black History Mural 

The mural, which depicted prominent Black figures, was vandalized with the symbol and name of a white supremacist group last December. In January, a man was arrested in connection with the vandalism. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged him with property damage last week. If found guilty, the man could face 1-4 in prison with a fine up to $10,000. 

“We welcome the charges in this disturbing act of hate and urge law enforcement authorities in Missouri and nationwide to crack down on bias-motivated crime,” said CAIR-Missouri Board Chair Yasir Ali.