(Tulsa 11-16-15) The Islamic Council of Oklahoma, Oklahoma’s statewide council of mosques, Islamic schools and organizations, condemns ISIS’ terrorism and hopes for a way forward that ensures justice for the perpetrators and the victims and embodies compassion for the most vulnerable.

The recent attacks on Paris, Beirut, Turkey and beyond are horrific and heart-breaking, nerve-wracking and reprehensible. They are the nightmares from which every peace-loving citizen of the world wants to be protected. The victims don’t need to be our family members or friends to warrant our heartfelt sympathy and hopes for recovery.

Muslim organizations at every level on every continent have condemned these acts. There is no religious justification for them and Muslims have chapters of advice condemning them.

Law-abiding Muslims feel just as threatened by these terrorists as their neighbors of other faiths. ISIS targets Muslims more often than others. Their actions have created refugees by the million.

“We may live with the aftermath of the Syrian conflict for generations,” Jan Egeland, [a former U.N. humanitarian chief and current] head of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The conflict has killed some 200,000 people, created more than 3.9 million refugees, mostly in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, and displaced 7.6 million people within Syria…” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/12/syria-war-children_n_6854612.html

When asked to respond to reports that governors are writing letters to President Obama to prevent refugees from coming to their states, ICO Chair Sheryl Siddiqui said:

“We should not let fear stop us from doing the right thing- stepping up in the worst humanitarian crisis in a generation. As people of faith, helping the homeless, the destitute and refugees are acts of faith and worship. Many traditions call it the Golden Rule.”

“We know that many Middle Eastern and European countries have taken in huge numbers of refugees, well-beyond what their resources can bear. It is time for the U.S. to do its due diligence in screening refugees and for us to then take our turn.”

ICO member organizations add their voices to the statement below:

http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/256221/20151114/paris-attacks-u-s-muslim-coalition-respond-terror-condemn-horrific.htm

(Tulsa, OK 11-10-15) The Islamic Council of Oklahoma, Oklahoma’s statewide council of mosques, Islamic schools and Muslim organizations, says on behalf of its member organizations that it is time to recognize our veterans with due respect.

Sheryl Siddiqui, ICO Chairperson, says about the Council on American Islamic Relations Oklahoma Chapter, “CAIR-OK deserves our thanks for their courage in this charged political climate for doing the right thing with their float for veterans in Wednesday’s Tulsa Veterans Day parade- for giving Oklahomans the chance to honor the veterans of all backgrounds who trained together, served together and had each other’s backs as they defended our Constitution, our freedoms and American interests.”

Oklahoma Muslims are remembering their ancestors who fought in the American Revolution and all the wars since then. Muslims are recognizing their family members with recent service to our country and the men and women who still serve. Muslims honor not only the Muslim soldiers who served under General George Washington and every President who followed but also every person who has dedicated their time and risked their lives for our country. That’s why they attend the Veterans Day Parades, tear up at the sight of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds and support our military personnel by working for the Veterans Administration, the once active Tulsa “Mayor’s Jobs for Vets” program and for social service agencies.

CAIR-OK was founded by Oklahomans in 2006 with no money from overseas. It has not fundraised outside of Oklahoma. Among the founders and board members are teachers, social workers, physicians, attorneys and people who have served honorably in the US military. It has defended the civil rights of Oklahomans, defended the Constitution, and worked to make Oklahoma a safer and more prosperous state. It has promoted human rights for all people and worked on humanitarian causes- like arriving first on the scene to help Oklahoma’s tornado victims, sponsoring blood drives and working at the state’s food banks. It has cooperated with and reached out to law enforcement at all levels and is active in the interfaith and social justice communities. While a few radicalized voices might make allegations, the people who know CAIR-Oklahoma best are those who work with them, day in and day out, in good times and times of crisis. That is a broad range of partnering organizations.

On Tuesday, Oklahoma City Imam Dr. Imad Enchassi visited the graves of the American Muslim veterans buried at Mercy Muslim Cemetery where he prayed for them. He called the veterans’ spouses and they prayed together. He asks Oklahomans, “How come one American can die for his country and be denied simple respect and thanks from those for whom he sacrificed everything when the people he served alongside are appropriately honored?”

Tulsa Imam John Ederer said, “Let’s not turn our backs on any of America’s veterans. They all deserve our respect.”

About the Islamic Council of Oklahoma

The Islamic Council of Oklahoma (ICO) is a council of Oklahoma mosques, Islamic schools, and Muslim organizations serving more than 35,000 Muslims in Oklahoma. The council works to promote improved communication, cooperation and best practices among Islamic organizations to improve the everyday lives of Muslims and all Oklahomans.

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Find information about a mosque near you.

First Ever State-wide Open Mosque Day from 1:00-4:00pm Sponsored by the Islamic Council of Oklahoma.

Islam and Muslims are in the news almost every day. Did you ever ask a Muslim what they think about that? Citizenship compels patriots to know the stories beyond the headlines. Here’s your chance!

Six mosques in the state are opening their doors for casual gatherings- great for meeting Muslims who are nothing like you see described in headlines. Get answers to your questions and concerns. Come on by! Have some food; make some friends and learn about your neighbors.

Oklahoma mosques have hosted open houses for years. But Open Mosque day is different in that it a regional or state-wide coordinated effort to reach people who might have been misled to fear us. This is not about converting people- it is about understanding your neighbors and co-workers. Open mosque days started in Southern California. Now Chicago is also hosting them.