UPDATE: CAIR-OK 1/5/11 Advertisement

The Oklahoma Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations asks readers of the Oklahoman Newspaper to think twice before accepting the content of a paid advertisement published on Wednesday December 29, 2010 by the Church of Christ of Elk City as true.  In fact this full-page ad is filled with false descriptions of Islam and blatant lies meant to drive a wedge between Oklahomans and to promote fear and isolation towards the American Muslim community.

Please consider the source of the material.  Although this ad claims to be a “study”, none of the listed contributors offer any suggestion of an expertise in theology, Christianity, or Islam.  No one knows who Ed Rodgers of Muskogee, OK, Charles Royal of Decatur AL, or Robert Johnson of Longview TX, are, however we do know that all of these alleged sources are not from Elk City, Oklahoma.

Please also consider the content of this ad.  Every single point this ad attempted to make was either deceptive, a misuse of quotations from the scripture, or an outright lie.

1. Muslims worship the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims do not worship a moon-god.   This is a fact. There is no evidence to prove the contrary.  Muslim holidays are based on a Lunar calendar, however so are Jewish holidays.
2.  Muhammad was not a thief rather he was an honest man.  Muhammad’s nickname before the introduction of Islam was “the trustworthy”. Muhammad respected people of other faith and was respected by people of other faiths 
3.  Muslims do not condone violence of any nature towards women and children. The laws of a foreign country and the practices of foreigners do not govern or guide American Muslim life, nor do they represent all Muslims. Violence is a global problem not exclusive to any faith, and we all must work together to combat its perpetrators
4.  Slavery existed in all major faiths for centuries, and it was accompanied by criticism and condemnation by members of all faiths, including Islam (Clarence-Smith 2006, 219) The Quran commends the emancipation of slaves and Muslims were among the abolition movement (Esposito 1988, pg 11)
5.  Muslims are not told to disrespect or kill members of other faiths. A treaty signed by Muslims and Jews at the time of Muhammad, read: "The Jews shall maintain their own religion, and the Muslims theirs...Each, if attacked shall come to the assistance of the other." (M.A.S. Abdel Haleem)  
6.  Muslims also believe in the Gospel sent to Jesus.  The Quran says: "O Mary, Allah gives thee glad tidings of a son through a word from Him; His name shall be the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary...She said 'My Lord, how shall I have a son, when no man has touched me? He said, Such is the way of Your Lord. He creates what He pleases...And He will impart in unto Jesus revelation, and wisdom, and the Torah, and the Gospel, and will make him an apostle unto the children of Israel" (3:38-48)
7.  The internet and Google are NEVER a reliable source of information about a faith or a group of people when used recklessly. Although this ad references the internet, we ask for those who seek to learn more about Islam to visit www.cairoklahoma.com and browse our website, or contact us for further information.