Open mosque day planned in Oklahoma

The open houses will be 1-4 p.m. in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Edmond and Stillwater.

 

The events will offer tours of the mosque, refreshments and opportunities to ask questions and look in on Islamic prayer.

Questions that Muslims will be prepared to answer include where do Muslims work and go to school? Do Muslims serve in the military and vote? What about Shariah (Islamic law) in Oklahoma?

Sheryl Siddiqui, chair of the Islamic Council of Oklahoma, said the nationwide initiative is to “help people appreciate that there are not just pockets of good Muslims, but good Muslims everywhere in the country — taxpayers, volunteers, concerned American citizens.”

“This year’s goals include changing the American narrative about Islam and Muslims by countering the lies and misinformation with a narrative that is reality-based,” she said.

“The current election has raised the number of attacks on Islam and Muslims to unprecedented highs, so one of the concerns shared by all organizations is Islamophobia and hate speech,” she said.

“This is concerning to us. Muslims have been transparent all along, open and welcoming to people in their communities. The current American narrative against Muslims and against Arabs is dangerous to all Americans.”

Siddiqui said Oklahoma Muslims have been “at the forefront of reaching out to our neighbors.”

The Tulsa Islamic community has offered similar events for years, like its annual “Look in on Ramadan,” but this is the first time it will be part of a national event, sponsored by the US Council of Muslim Organizations, she said.

The statewide Islamic Council of Oklahoma, with six active mosques, became a member this year of the US Council of Muslim Organizations.

The Open Mosque Day is part of the national organization’s One America Campaign, which also includes the One Million New Voter Registration Campaign and the promotion of community-focused Ramadan Iftar meals.

Siddiqui said many mosques have conducted voter registration drives, often at Friday prayer services.