The Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma Chapter recently released its first ever civil rights report following what leaders said is an increase in “Islamophobia” and anti-Muslim sentiment in the wake of the attacks in Paris, France, and San Bernadino, Calif.
The report summarizes the complaints and incidents received by CAIR-OK’s civil rights department, which serves the Oklahoma Muslim community through the CAIR-OK Oklahoma City office.
Of the calls received, about half of them show evidence of discrimination or anti-Muslim bias, including denials of religious accommodations, harassment, bullying, and hate incidents, CAIR-OK leaders said in a news release Wednesday.
“This report is an in-depth look at the state of Muslim civil rights in Oklahoma,” said Veronica Laizure, CAIR-OK civil rights director.
“It details the major work that we’ve done over the past year as well as some of the common issues we’ve identified, and will provide a foundation for more targeted civil rights work in the future.”
Laizure said in particular, the Muslim advocacy group has seen an increase in anti-Muslim sentiment due to recent world events.
“Our report tracks the discrimination and harassment that our Muslim community members face. We also hope that it will help our leaders and community services address the needs of their Muslim constituents,” she said.
The report’s key findings, according to CAIR-OK’s news release, include:
-- CAIR-OK successfully mediated a discrimination complaint at a local public elementary school, culminating in a diversity training session for the school’s teachers and staff.
-- Targeted responses to troubling hate incidents and “Islamophobic” statements that garnered national attention.
-- The U.S. Supreme Court case which set a precedent for religious job-seekers, EEOC v. Abercrombie and Fitch, originated from the CAIR-OK office.
-- A growing network of referral services ensures clients’ needs are met even if no discrimination is involved.
-- Outreach by CAIR-OK’s civil rights director to interfaith and community organizations such as the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation in Tulsa; St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Norman; and the Rotary Club of Greater Oklahoma City.