Yesterday, I wrote about Oklahoma Rep. Rex Duncan who refused a copy of the Quran which was offered to him and all Oklahoma Legislators by the Governor’s Ethnic American Advisory Council.
I personally believe that in a country that defends the separation of church and state, gifts to politicians of a religious nature should never be accepted.
A paperweight, a stapler or other items are fine, but "documents of religious doctrine" especially with the name of the politician engraved on the cover implying some form of endorsement are completely unacceptable.
Picture credit: SUE OGROCKI / Associated Press
Marjaneh Seirafi-Pour holding the Quran
Today, the Tulsa World has reported sixteen more legislators have joined with Rep. Duncan. "Duncan reiterated Tuesday that the council's spokeswoman had stated in an e-mail to elected officials that "the Holy Quran is the record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad."
Rep Randy Terrill told the council, "Thanks for the offer. However, I am a Christian. And, as such, I would not use it."
Jim Mishler, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry executive director, said he was disappointed with Duncan's remarks. He said the lawmaker's refusal to accept the Quran reveals "an appalling lack of awareness of religious history.
"The Tulsa Interfaith Alliance expects all of our elected officials to treat all of their constituents with dignity and respect," Rev. Darryl DeBorde said. "To purposefully condemn and denounce all Oklahomans who are members of one religious body is just wrong, whether they be Muslim, Baptist or anything else."
Marjan Seirafi-Pour, chairwoman of the council, said members represent different parts of the Muslim world, like representatives from Pakistan, Iran and other countries. Paul Sund, spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry, said the council was formed at the request of some leaders in the Muslim community."
The Council of American islamic Relations has now stepped into the picture. Townhall reports that in Washington, spokesman Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Duncan's statement is "disturbing" and "offensive" to Muslims.
"It just points to the amount of education about Islam and the American Muslim community that is needed in all levels in our society, including elected officials," Hooper said.
Hooper doesn't get it, I'm afraid. Muslims must realize Christians do not believe in their prophet, whatsoever. So isn't it rather rude of them to impose their religion on others, as they do?
The Tulsa Interfaith Alliance has on their website a page on religious ettiquette which states: "Public religious expression should not intrude upon or override the religious preferences of others." Now, isn't that exactly what Marjaneh Seirafi-Pour did in her letter to all the Oklahoma Legislators when she said the Quran was the exact word of God? You see Christians and Jews do not believe the Quran is the exact word of God. Yet, in this case, these lawmakers are the ones who get raked over the coals.
What about the responsibility of Muslims to respect our religious beliefs and not preach to us?
Update 9 PM: the AP is reporting 24 legislators have declined the offer of the Quran.
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Member of the Governor’s Ethnic American Advisory Council
405-521-6300
Chair Marjaneh Seirafi-Pour,
Vice-Chair / Secretary Malaka A. Elyazgi (husband was a business partner with one of the Holy Land Defendants whose videos where shown of him doing a skit about killing a Jew.)
Members
Dr. Riaz Ahmad
