CAIR-OK Sold-Out Banquet a 'Tremendous Success'

OKLAHOMA CITY, March 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) celebrated four years of civil rights and advocacy work Saturday with a sold-out banquet in Oklahoma City.

At the CAIR-OK banquet, some 500 Muslim community members and interfaith leaders braved a winter storm to hear an address by international human rights activist Anna Baltzer. Preacher Moss, a comedian and co-founder of "Allah Made Me Funny – The Official Muslim Comedy Tour," entertained the banquet attendees.

CAIR-OK also premiered its first documentary, titled "A New Era of Hope: Our Role, Our Future," and released its 2009 annual report.

SEE: A New Era of Hope: Our Role, Our Future

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7So89opCQc

"We thank all those who helped to make our fourth annual banquet a tremendous success," said CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, who spoke at the banquet. "We will continue to work diligently to defend the civil rights of all Oklahomans and to build bridges of understanding between faiths and cultures in our great state."

CAIR-Oklahoma recognized distinguished members of the community in an award ceremony. Aliye Shimi was the 2010 Community Service Award recipient for selfless community service in Oklahoma. Amy Lester from News 9 was the 2010 Excellence in Journalism Award recipient for fair, accurate, and inclusive portrayal of Muslims and other minorities in Oklahoma. The 2010 Social Justice Award for standing up for justice and the rights of Muslims and other minorities in Oklahoma was received by attorney Michael Brooks-Jimenez and ACLU of Oklahoma Deputy and Legal Director Chuck Thornton.

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CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, 405-415-6851 or 405-248-5853, E-mail: [email protected]; CAIR-OK Chair Michael Aziz Gipson, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR-OK Operations Coordinator Huda Abdul-Razzak, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations