This summer, students and young professionals across the state of Oklahoma attended the first ever Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) on August 7-8, 2009. MYLS was launched by CAIR-Oklahoma to help young Muslims develop leadership skills and work towards social justice by getting involved in their communities. The symposium took place at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. The conference provided 38 college students and young professionals throughout Oklahoma with an opportunity to explore their leadership. Over one and a half days, the students learned about civic engagement, civil rights, public speaking and communications, trained on leadership and community advocacy skills, and were able to rub elbows with elected officials, media professionals, community activists, leaders and members.
Make a Donation
Thank you for your donation to CAIR Oklahoma. Your donation has provided further protection of the civil rights of Americans.
Sign up for our E-Newsletter
CAIR TV
CAIR Oklahoma
CAIR to Launch PSAs Featuring Muslim 9/11 First Responders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR to Launch PSAs Featuring Muslim 9/11 First Responders Public service announcements designed to challenge bigotry, Florida Quran burning (OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - 9/2/2010) -- On Friday, September 3, the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) will hold a news conference in Oklahoma City, to continue a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign featuring Muslim 9/11 first responders and designed to challenge the growing anti-Muslim bigotry sparked by opposition to the planned Park51 project in Manhattan.
CAIR's campaign will also include a PSA that features interfaith leaders offering an implicit challenge to the Florida church that plans to burn copies of the Quran, Islam's revealed text, on September 11.
WHAT: CAIR to Launch Muslim 9/11 First Responder PSA Campaign WHEN: Friday, September 3, 2010, 11:00 a.m. WHERE: Conference Room 212, 2nd Floor, Gold Dome, 1112 NW 23rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 73106 CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, 405-248-5853, E-Mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
“There has been overwhelming levels of hate perpetuated by an orchestrated team of vocal bigots against the American Muslim community in recent weeks which has resulted in public and physical attacks,” said CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi. “CAIR decided to challenge this hate with positivity through public service announcements that seek to promote peace and pluralism.”
Two of the three PSAs, which will be distributed to television stations nationwide and online through social media sites, feature Muslim first responders to the 9/11 terror attacks, with the theme "9/11 happened to us all."
The third PSA features Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders describing the "golden rule" as expressed by their respective faiths –- and ends with the phrase, "We have more in common than we think." That PSA is designed to show the commonalities between faiths and to challenge those who –- like the members of a Florida church who plan to burn Qurans on September 11 –- would divide American along religious lines.
Other American Muslim organizations in Oklahoma will take part in the news conference to outline each group's individual and joint initiatives designed to promote religious freedom, challenge growing anti-Muslim bigotry in American society and to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
The American Muslim organizations taking part in the news conference include: (in alphabetical order)
• Islamic Council of Oklahoma (ICO)
• Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City (ISGOC)
Earlier this month, CAIR released an online toolkit designed to help Muslim communities organize proactive local educational and outreach initiatives tied to events such as a "National Day of Unity and Healing" on the upcoming anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
The toolkit, called a "Teachable Moment Community Response Guide," offers guidance, tools and resources to help Muslim communities respond to specific current events such as the end of Ramadan Eid al-Fitr holiday occurring near September 11, the upcoming "Burn a Koran Day" by a church in Florida, the anti-Muslim bigotry generated by the smear campaign against a planned Islamic community center in Manhattan, and the ongoing tension and misunderstanding surrounding the building or expansion of mosques nationwide.
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.
- END –
CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, 405-248-5853, E-Mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fall 2010 Internship Opportunities at CAIR-Oklahoma
The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) is currently offering its internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. CAIR is the nation's largest Muslim civil rights 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. At the Council on American-Islamic Relations, we are convinced that the best way to secure a better future for us all is to empower young Americans with the skills they need to make a difference. There is no better teacher than experience. From our office in Oklahoma City at the historic Gold Dome, CAIR interns work with governmental officials, media professionals, academic, interfaith and civic leaders on substantive projects that lay the foundation for a fair and more inclusive America. Interns develop professional skills, gain insight into the societal impact of public service, and have the opportunity to work with different departments so they might holistically understand the daily operations of a non-profit civil rights organization. A sense of community and camaraderie is fostered among the interns in the program. CAIR has a wide array of projects and activities that suit your level of expertise and will empower you to make a difference. Apply now! See our website, www.cairoklahoma.com for opportunities.
TIMELINE
Internships Now Available!
CAIR-Oklahoma is currently offering numerous internship opportunities for summer. Please note, each of the positions, generally run between the following months.
Fall: September – December Winter: December – February Spring: January – May Summer: May – September
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The following deadline dates are recommended, and applications received by these dates will be given priority:
Fall: September 13 Winter: November 29 Spring: January 31 Summer: May 2
All internships are unpaid. Positions require a minimum 10-hour/week commitment.
CAIR-Oklahoma is a non-profit, grassroots American-Muslim advocacy organization, which was established in 2007. Founded in 1994, CAIR has a national office in Washington, D.C. and 35 chapters nationwide. CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam and Muslims, empower American Muslims, and promote justice. For more information see: www.cair.com or www.cairoklahoma.com.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director reports to the board of directors. The Executive Director is responsible for the fulfillment of the organization’s mission and the development and implementation of its strategies. The Executive Director oversees and provides strategic leadership for the chapter’s work and continued growth and development.
CAIR-OK to Host Second Annual Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium
(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 7/28/10) – This weekend, the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) will hold its second annual Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) at Oklahoma City University. The symposium seeks to inspire young Oklahomans to pursue public service and become involved to make a difference in their communities.
WHEN: Friday July 30 – Sunday August 1, 2010 WHERE: Gardner Conference Room, Meinders School of Business, Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., Oklahoma City, OK CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, 405-248-5853, E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Friday’s MYLS networking dinner will feature Oklahoma City University President and former Chief Justice Robert Henry of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit and CAIR-Michigan Executive Director Dawud Walid as keynote speakers. The MYLS Leadership & Empowerment conference on Saturday and Sunday will be filled with engaging workshops, activities and games. The theme for the program is “Activism through Expression.”
CAIR-Oklahoma’s annual youth leadership and empowerment conference will provide 40 college students and young professionals from across Oklahoma an opportunity to build and develop leadership skills. Over three days, the students are educated on civic engagement, civil rights, public speaking and communications, trained on leadership and community advocacy skills, and have the opportunity to rub elbows with elected officials, media professionals, community activists, and other leaders.
“Our leadership and empowerment conference is all about the youth and preparing them to be the next generation of leaders,” said CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi.
CAIR-Oklahoma’s MYLS program was founded in 2009 to build new foundations for Muslim youth to become involved in community and public service in Oklahoma. The strength of MYLS comes from volunteers who give selflessly of their time and energy, and serve as role models for the leadership conference. CAIR chapters in California, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, and Washington have also held similar programs.
One of last year’s participants, Bilal Ittiq, a junior psychology major at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, said of last year’s symposium:
“MYLS provides beneficial stepping stones for younger generations to become leaders in their respective communities. Especially preceding the great month of Ramadan, it has motivated me to strengthen my Iman [faith]. Seeing the passion of these community leaders is very influential.”
The core mission of the Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) is to provide American Muslim youth with a proactive agenda for positive activism; empower them to guide their communities from the margin to the mainstream; and foster a healthy American Muslim identity that fits comfortably within pluralistic American society while true to its faith values.
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, 405-248-5853, E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
; CAIR-OK Chair Amir Khaliq; E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) is a three-day program in Oklahoma City that trains college students and young professionals in civic leadership, media and community activism.
Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium 2010: July 30 to August 1 at the Oklahoma City University. Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2010
Students are supervised by adults at all times.
Please complete this application and send it back to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
by June 30, 2010.
