Reflecting on a Year of Impact
2024 Year In Review
As 2024 comes to a close, we invite you to reflect with us on a transformative year marked by remarkable milestones, meaningful accomplishments, and unwavering commitment to our mission in serving the Oklahoma Muslim community. Together, we’ve made a lasting impact, and we’re excited to share the highlights of this incredible journey. While we recognize that there is still much work to be done in Oklahoma, we also recognize that together, we have made significant accomplishments and are working towards building a better state, country, and world.
2024 Service Statistics
In 2024, CAIR Oklahoma achieved significant milestones in advancing justice and civil rights across the state. This year, we proudly celebrated 18 years of service to Oklahoma’s Muslim community, during which we provided over 10,000 hours of free legal assistance to those in need. For many, we are the first call made in challenging situations—and often their only source of hope. Your continued support allows us to be a steadfast resource for every Muslim in Oklahoma, offering assistance in all areas of their lives. Together, we can keep making a difference.
More than 100 Workshops Conducted
Reached 50,000+ Individuals Through Outreach Efforts
Assisted in 120+ Legal Cases
Engaged with 50+ Community Partners
2024 Monthly Highlights
This section provides a detailed look at the significant events and activities that took place each month throughout 2024, showcasing our ongoing commitment to our mission.
January
Initiatives, Education, and Advocacy
As the year began, we launched a range of programs and initiatives to address new challenges and seize emerging opportunities, including those arising from global conflicts and the growing tide of Islamophobia. In a highlight of our community outreach efforts, we welcomed Dr. Jihad Turk, President of Bayan Islamic Graduate School, to Oklahoma City, where he shared valuable insights on advancing Islamic education through graduate programs available right here in America. Additionally, we recorded prayer accommodations videos in English, Dari, and Pashto to empower Afghan refugees in advocating for their rights to pray at school and work. CAIR-OK Deputy Director Veronica Laizure further expanded our outreach by delivering a training on recognizing and stopping domestic violence in Asian American/Pacific Islander communities at the University of Central Oklahoma in partnership with the Asian Task Force. We also engaged with stakeholders and community leaders to foster collaboration among Islamic organizations across the state. Looking ahead, we began preparing for the 2024 Legislative Session, where we will closely monitor and respond to the vast number of bills introduced.
February
Advocacy, Outreach, and Engagement
We proudly hosted a series of World Hijab Day events featuring renowned author Huda Fahmy, engaging over 250 attendees across the Oklahoma City metro area. At the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center’s “Bridges to Access” event, CAIR Oklahoma staff delivered a compelling presentation on providing equitable healthcare to minorities, with a particular focus on the needs of Muslim immigrant communities. In collaboration with the Oklahoma State University Muslim Student Association, we welcomed Linda Sarsour for their Annual MSA Night, drawing a standing-room-only audience. Demonstrating our commitment to advocacy, we joined Oklahomans Against the Occupation at the Oklahoma State Capitol to protest Governor Stitt’s State of the State address, amplifying the call for justice and freedom for the Palestinian people. CAIR-OK Deputy Director Veronica Laizure delivered a Know Your Rights training on protests and demonstrations to members of Oklahomans Against the Occupation and also spoke on a panel for the Tulsa University Law Immigration Law Society. In honor of Black History Month, we hosted a Muslim Young Professionals event featuring Senator George Young. As part of our ongoing outreach to elected officials, we also hosted Oklahoma Senate and House members for a Jumah visit to the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, fostering dialogue and understanding.
March
Ramadan Advocacy, Community Engagement
As Ramadan approached, we remained vigilant in tracking key legislation progressing through the Oklahoma House and Senate. On Friday, March 15, 2024, we proudly hosted Minnesota Senator Zaynab Mohamed as the keynote speaker for our 10th Annual Ramadan Iftar with Elected Officials, alongside featured speaker Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert. To further engage our growing community, we partnered with the YMCA of Oklahoma City and the Bethany Public Library to plan a special Eid festival for the Afghan community in Oklahoma City. CAIR-OK Deputy Director Veronica Laizure and CAIR-OK Health Equity Coordinator Ruslan Ahasan also delivered a presentation about Ramadan to OSU OKC’s Diversity, Equity, and Belonging department, fostering greater understanding and inclusivity. Throughout Ramadan, we actively participated in community iftar events, including the University of Central Oklahoma Muslim Student Association Iftar dinner and the Towheed Foundation of Oklahoma Ramadan Iftar. Additionally, we organized our annual Ramadan Day of Service, welcoming over 100 attendees to join us in embodying Islamic ideals through acts of community service.
April
Community Engagement and Education
We hosted a Young Professionals Iftar in Oklahoma City, bringing together over 100 young Muslims for an evening of inspiration with nationally renowned motivational speaker Emeka Nnaka. In collaboration with the YWCA of Oklahoma City and the Bethany Public Library, we co-hosted an Eid Festival that welcomed over 500 Afghan refugees, fostering community connection and celebration. As part of our outreach efforts, we conducted mosque tours for more than 300 students and young adults from Oklahoma State University, providing an opportunity to educate our fellow Oklahomans about Islam and the Muslim community. Additionally, we presented a session on Understanding Islam and Muslims in Oklahoma as part of Tinker Federal Credit Union’s lunch-and-learn series. CAIR Oklahoma Executive Director Adam Soltani also served as a featured speaker at Oklahoma Islamic Academy’s career day, inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in nonprofit work and community service.
May
Advocacy, Rights, and Community Building
As the Legislative Session began to wind down, the CAIR Oklahoma team welcomed a much-needed pause after the whirlwind of Ramadan and community activities. Early in the month, we met with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, laying the groundwork for a $20,000 grant to support our upcoming project, Muslim Voices, which will provide a platform for Muslims to share their stories. We also held crucial meetings with student groups at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma to address concerns over the crackdown on pro-Palestine rallies and protests, ensuring the rights of Muslim and Palestinian students are safeguarded. In response to HB 4156, a harsh anti-immigrant bill targeting immigrant communities, we joined protests and demonstrations to advocate for justice and equality. Additionally, CAIR-OK’s Jen Hund, Nicole Baumann, and Veronica Laizure spoke to the Faith and Immigration Justice class at OKC 1st Church of the Nazarene, educating attendees about the realities faced by immigrants and strategies to combat their targeting in Oklahoma. A key highlight of the month was hosting our 10th Annual Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol, welcoming over 150 attendees and celebrating a decade of advocacy, lobbying, and bridge-building between Oklahoma’s Muslim community and their elected officials. Another notable event was CAIR-OK Deputy Director Veronica Laizure’s Bystander Intervention Training, delivered to a standing-room-only audience at a Human Rights Commission of Oklahoma City event in downtown Oklahoma City.
June
Legislative Recap and Engagement
Although summer is typically a quieter season for community events and speaking engagements, the CAIR Oklahoma team found little time to rest this year. We concluded the Legislative Session with a comprehensive video recap and blog post that outlined the victories, setbacks, and challenges faced by the Oklahoma Muslim community in this year’s political landscape. At the same time, we began preparing our Candidate Guide for the November General Election—an election poised to be one of the most significant in our lifetime. CAIR-OK Deputy Director Veronica Laizure spoke on a panel for the OK Policy Institute’s Summer Policy Series, educating attendees about immigration justice and advocacy across the political spectrum. CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani also served as a featured speaker at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center’s Annual Cultural Sensitivity Training for Minorities in Healthcare, addressing topics related to Islam and Muslims. Additionally, we continued our regularly hosted Young Professionals events, gathering dozens of Muslim professionals at Mocha House in Edmond, Oklahoma, to hear featured speaker Derick Sier share insights on Grace in the Workplace.
July
Planning, Advocacy, and Collaboration
Mid-summer offered a chance for many members of the CAIR Oklahoma team to reconnect with family and loved ones while also focusing on internal planning for the second half of 2024. During this time, CAIR Oklahoma Executive Director Adam Soltani led an Interfaith Training Workshop at Paycom headquarters in Oklahoma City, fostering understanding and collaboration. CAIR-OK Deputy Director Veronica Laizure delivered a presentation for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Oklahoma Chapter (NAMI OK) on mental health in Muslim communities and was a featured speaker on a panel discussion commemorating the 1964 Civil Rights Act and its enduring impact on the United States. We continued our partnership with community organizations like Oklahomans Against the Occupation to strengthen local efforts in support of Palestine. A highlight of the season was hosting Minnesota Senator Zaynab Mohamed for her second visit to Oklahoma City, where she engaged with community members and shared inspiring insights from her journey into political leadership.
August
Voter Engagement and Student Activism
As summer came to a close, the CAIR Oklahoma team met with the Director of Membership at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits to explore opportunities for proactively contributing to the broader nonprofit community in our state. We also met with Let’s Fix This Oklahoma to discuss plans for candidate forums, candidate guides, and election education within our community, while laying the groundwork for National Muslim Voter Registration Day—an annual event aimed at registering hundreds of Oklahoma Muslims to vote ahead of upcoming elections. This month, we launched a series of visits to Islamic Centers across Oklahoma to host voter registration drives, ensuring as many Muslims as possible are registered or have updated their voter information ahead of the November election. With the new semester underway at local universities, CAIR Oklahoma partnered with the Muslim Student Association at Oklahoma State University to host an event in Stillwater focused on empowering student activism on college campuses.
September
Voter Registration and Advocacy
In September, the CAIR Oklahoma team continued their voter registration drives at local mosques and proudly released our comprehensive Candidate Guide for the upcoming General Election. Meanwhile, the CAIR Oklahoma Civil Rights Department provided crucial support to several local Muslims facing serious incidents of anti-Muslim harassment, reaffirming our commitment to defending the rights of our community. CAIR-OK Deputy Director Veronica Laizure led a Bystander Intervention Training for the Oklahoma Association for Civic Action Agencies and participated in a panel on civic engagement with Kendra Horn and Tamya Cox-Toure at the Plaza Festival, one of Oklahoma City’s largest community events.
October
Election Outreach and Advocacy
The CAIR Oklahoma team concluded our voter registration drives with a visit to Masjid Mumin, the oldest mosque in Oklahoma. As the November elections approached, we shifted our focus to disseminating our election guides as widely as possible. This effort included online outreach through email and social media, distributing flyers in person, and engaging directly with Oklahoma Muslims at community events and Jumah prayers. We also hosted a Candidate Open House with Let’s Fix This, bringing a dozen candidates for county, state, and federal offices together in a science-fair-style meet and greet, where they interacted directly with participants and each other. Additionally, CAIR Oklahoma Deputy Director Veronica Laizure was a speaker at the Closing Plenary for the Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation’s ATJ Summit conference. She also conducted Election Legal Observer trainings to ensure that elections were fair and that voters were not subject to harassment or discrimination. CAIR Oklahoma Executive Director Adam Soltani was a featured speaker on Ihsan Foundation’s Monthly Webinar, delivering an inspiring talk on “The American Muslim Commitment to Social Justice.”
November
Elections, Outreach, and Education
November was all about two priorities: elections and outreach. The CAIR Oklahoma team focused heavily on distributing our election guides and encouraging Muslims across the state to make their voices heard at the polls. On election night, we live-tracked results and shared updates on social media, followed by blog posts and a webinar that summarized the outcomes. Regardless of individual opinions on the election and its results, one thing became clear: there is still much work to do to foster dialogue, understanding, and build a society that celebrates diversity and includes its Muslim neighbors. To help mitigate the potential fallout from the November elections, our team has joined coalitions and other groups dedicated to protecting the Muslim community. In pursuit of fostering education and understanding, we hosted over 300 students from high schools and colleges for visits and tours at mosques in Edmond and Stillwater. These efforts reflected our belief that education remains one of the most powerful tools to combat ignorance and hate.
December
Strategic Planning and Transition
As the year drew to a close, the CAIR Oklahoma team used this slower season to revisit our strategic plan and lay the groundwork for the year ahead. We began mapping out a robust slate of community events, comprehensive legislative tracking efforts, and initiatives aimed at building greater strength and influence within the Muslim community. We also bid farewell to our Fall 2024 interns, expressing gratitude for their contributions, and began preparing to welcome our Spring 2025 interns, who will join us in the New Year.
2024 Video Highlights
Check out a selection of some of the video highlights from 2024 and be sure to visit our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@cair_oklahoma to see more videos.
Iman: Two Journeys of Faith, Rooted in Oklahoma's Heartland | Official Trailer
"Changing the Hearts and Minds of People" - 10th Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol
"Every Effort Counts" - Ramadan Day Of Service
CAIR Oklahoma Denounces 'Inappropriate' FBI Surveillance of Muslim Woman Over Pro Palestine Posts
CAIR OK Condemns OSDE Requirement for Bible Instruction in Classrooms as Unconstitutional
CAIR Oklahoma Condemns Distribution of Racist, Antisemitic Flyers in OKC Video
2024 Year in Pictures
Check out a selection of some of the photo highlights from 2024, and be sure to follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cair_oklahoma/ to stay up to date on our work.
