(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 3/29/2016) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma Chapter (CAIR-OK) will hold its 10th Anniversary Awards Banquet this Saturday, April 2, at 6:00pm at the Embassy Suites in Norman, OK.
SEE: CAIR-OK 10th Anniversary Awards Banquet Event Page
The Awards Banquet will feature two past CAIR-OK Executive Directors, Razi Hashmi and Muneer Awad; entertainment from nationally recognized comedian Azhar Usman; and a keynote address from respected scholar Imam Suhaib Webb, an Oklahoma native. The Banquet will also honor two individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their community with a Lifetime Achievement Award and an Oklahoma Muslim of the Year Award, a new honor given to a person nominated by his or her own peers.
The recipient of this year’s Lifetime Acheivement Awards will be Dr. Imad Enchassi, Senior Imam of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City. Receiving the Oklahoma Muslim of the Year Award will be Aliye Shimi, Outreach Director for the Islamic Society of Tulsa and co-founder of the Tulsa-based Peace Project.
“This Awards Banquet is a time for us to come together as a community and honor the work of our past, while at the same time looking forward to the future of our organization,” said Executive Director Adam Soltani. “In a time of unprecedented Islamophobia, it is increasingly important for the Muslim community to have pride in its accomplishments and to share in celebrations together.”
Operations and Events Coordinator Anna Facci says CAIR-OK anticipates attendance at over 500, the largest crowd ever for such an event. “Since this is our 10th Anniversary Banquet, the community has responded with exceptional enthusiasm and support. We are expecting the largest crowd in our organization’s history, and we have worked tirelessly to create an exciting and dynamic program for the occasion.”
CAIR-Oklahoma is a chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialog, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani, 405-248-5853, asoltani@cair.com; CAIR-OK Civil Rights Director Veronica Laizure, 405-430-9877, vlaizure@cair.com; CAIR-OK Operations and Events Coordinator Anna Facci, 918-269-7924, afacci@cair.com.