(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 4/28/2022) — The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) and Kalidy Kia today announced the opening of a toy drive to benefit the hundreds of Afghan children who have recently been resettled to Oklahoma City.
This will be the first Eid Al-Fitr (the celebration of the breaking of the fast) that Afghans will experience in Oklahoma.
WHAT: Toy Drive for Afghan Kids
WHERE: Kalidy Kia, 14205 Broadway Extension Hwy, Edmond, OK 73013
WHEN: 9 AM through 9 PM, until Saturday, April 30
CONTACT: CAIR Oklahoma Executive Director Adam Soltani, aSoltani@cair.com, 405-248-5853; Kalidy Kia Spokesperson Austin Jacobs, 405-876-3722
Donors are encouraged to bring toys for children ages 3-12 that do not include small parts, complicated rules systems, or projectiles. Stuffed animals, game sets such as checkers or chess, dolls, and toy cars or trucks are examples of appropriate toys.
“We are so pleased to have community partners like Kalidy Kia join us in the work of welcoming our new Afghan neighbors,” said CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani. “The generosity of Oklahomans has been truly inspiring as we all have come together to make our Afghan friends feel welcome here, especially with Eid ul-Fitr, a special holiday, approaching.”
CAIR-OK has been committed to assisting our new Afghan neighbors to establish themselves in Oklahoma since our first arrivals in September 2021 as a part of our mission to empower the American Muslim community.
SEE: Afghan refugees prepare for their first Oklahoma Ramadan with pop-up bazaar
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/lifestyle/2022/03/31/council-american-islamic-relations-prepares-afghan-refugees-first-ramadan-oklahoma/7096807001/
CAIR-OK has been working in partnership with a number of community partners, including Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, The Spero Project, the Afghan Legal Network, and interfaith friends across the city, to provide needed resources for Afghan families resettled to Oklahoma City in the wake of violence in Afghanistan. Of the 1,000 Afghans relocating to the Oklahoma City metro area, a majority are women and children.
SEE: More Afghan Refugees to Call Oklahoma Home in Next Few Days
https://www.news9.com/story/61d4dd0814911c189b10cfbf/more-afghan-refugees-to-call-oklahoma-home-in-next-few-days
RAMADAN/EID BACKGROUNDER:
Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset.
On or about Monday, May 2,* the Muslim community in America will celebrate the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan with communal prayers around the country.
The prayers mark the beginning of the Eid ul-Fitr (EED-al-FITTER), or “feast of fast breaking” holiday, in which Muslims exchange social visits and seek to strengthen family and community bonds. During this holiday, Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid mubarak” (EED-moo-BAR-ak), meaning “blessed Eid,” and “taqabbalallah ta’atakum,” or “may God accept your deeds.” Many communities also hold multicultural bazaars and other family activities following the prayers.
Eid ul-Fitr is the first of the two major Muslim holidays. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), comes near the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Oklahoma Executive Director Adam Soltani, aSoltani@cair.com , 405-248-5853; Kalid Kia Spokeperson Austin Jacobs, 405-876-3722