(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 6/8/2017) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma Chapter (CAIR-OK) will hold its Third Annual Ramadan Iftar with Elected Officials this Friday, June 9th, at 7:00pm at NOAH’s Event Center in Oklahoma City.

See: CAIR-OK’s 3rd Annual Ramadan Iftar with Our Legislators
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ee20qbodc1abd8e1&llr=xbhes8mab

This year’s Iftar will feature keynote speaker Paula Lewis, the newly elected Oklahoma City Public School Board Chair. The evening’s featured speakers will also include Representative Forrest Bennett, Representative George E. Young Sr., and Representative Monroe Nichols.

“The Annual Ramadan Iftar with Our Elected Officials is a time for us share our blessed month of Ramadan with our community and engage with our elected leaders,” said Executive Director Adam Soltani. “In a time of unprecedented Islamophobia, it is increasingly important for the Muslim community to remain civically engaged as a way of combating hateful rhetoric.”

Community Outreach Fellow Shehla Fazili says CAIR-OK anticipates the attendance of approximately 200 guests. “Given the current political climate, the community has responded with great enthusiasm and support. This year we have 15 elected officials confirmed to attend and we have worked hard to create an exceptional program for the evening,” said Fazili.

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. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the “five pillars” of Islam. An Iftar is the meal eaten to break one’s fast at the end of each day after sundown.

SEE: Okla. Muslims Welcome Ramadan with Community Service and Outreach
https://www.cairoklahoma.com/blog/okla-muslims-welcome-ramadan-with-community-service-and-outreach/

The end of Ramadan will be marked by communal prayers called “Eid ul-Fitr,” or Feast of the Fast-Breaking, on or about June 25.

CAIR Oklahoma is the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties of all people, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR Oklahoma es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani, 405-248-5853, asoltani@cair.com; CAIR-OK Government Affairs Director Anna Facci, 918-269-7924, afacci@cair.com; CAIR-OK Civil Rights Director Veronica Laizure, 405-430-9877, vlaizure@cair.com