It's pretty obvious after a protest was held by Oklahomans Against CAIR Hate last Saturday night CAIR's Oklahoma director, Reza Hashmi, was on the defense. He tried to distance himself from the organization he works for by stating "we are the Oklahoma chapter of CAIR”.
“...Our chapter has done nothing to promote terrorism, and it is unforturnate that we would be linked to other groups when all we’ve done is attempt to promote, uplift and support Muslims....”We hope that our event being protested tonight will show people that it is still difficult to be a Muslim in this country because of stereotypes,” Hashmi said.
What did he mean when he said it's unfortunate CAIR Oklahoma is linked to other groups? Is he trying to make the state office of CAIR out to be a separate group from CAIR? How absurd.
Come on now folks, that's an insult to our intelligence.
Then, he takes the dishonest leap that the protest against CAIR was an protest against Muslims.
Hashmi has shilled for Hamas at least two times in local newspapers. His organized a protest rally in Oklahoma City last January that was clearly anti-Israel and highly divisive (pictured).
In 2007, CAIR OK joined with the Islamic Society of Tulsa and gave three Goodwill Appreciation awards to members of Tulsa Truth - a 9/11 conspiracy theory group!
Razhi Hashmi works for the state office of CAIR an organization identified as a outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhood/Hamas infrastructure in our country as documented by federal prosecutors in several court cases. The Muslim Brotherhood strongly supports Hamas which was created by the Muslim Brotherhood of Palestine. It seeks the destruction of Israel. Can I say Hashmi is a Muslim Brotherhood member? No, I can't. But, I can say his public statements about Hamas and his actions against U.S. support for Israel are similar to that of the Muslim Brotherhood.
In the article, Oklahoma House District 84 candidate Brittnay Novotny, a transgender Democrat, was also misinformed about the purpose of the protest when she was said:
I came here tonight to learn more about a community that I don’t know much about,” said Brittany Novotny, Oklahoma House District 84 candidate. “I did not really see the protestors outside because I came in through a back door, but I do think it is unfortunate that an event this important to our state and even our county would bring out people who show a prejudice.”
The truth is not prejudice, or a stereotype, it stands alone.
Update 2/1/2010: Panelists who led a discussion after the film: Dr. Charles Kimball, Presidential Professor and Director of the Religious Studies Program at the University of Oklahoma delivered the keynote address prior to the film. He also took part in a panel discussion with Dr. Imad Enchassi, Imam of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City (ISGOC) and Dr. Bruce Prescott, executive director of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists.
Co-sponsors of the event included the OU-Muslim Student Association, OU-Religious Studies Department and Club, OU-Middle Eastern Studies Department, Students of University Lutheran (SOUL), ACLU Student Organization, Hindu Student Council, International Affairs Society, Oklahoma Mainstream Baptists, Peace House, Baha’i Association, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma (ACLU-OK). (source)
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Also see:
Blog of CAIR-OK director revealing
CAIR wants to stop American leaders from expressing support for Israel
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