(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 2/10/2018) – The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) today welcomed an investigation that the Collinsville Police Department is conducting into anti-Muslim posts made on social media by one of their officers.
SEE: Oklahoma Police Officer Posts Anti-Muslim Images on Social Media
https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/police-officer-posts-anti-muslim-images-on-social-media
The offensive posts included a picture of a man holding a holstered gun and reading: “Infidel Brotherhood: Who wants to play cowboys and Muslims?”
“We are glad that the Collinsville Police Department is taking this situation seriously,” said CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani. “Collinsville Police Department now has an opportunity to make positive changes and to set an example for law enforcement authorities across our state.”
CAIR-OK provides trainings and other resources for any state law enforcement agency wishing to educate its officers.
“Unfortunately, there are many people out there who harbor bias and prejudice against Muslims,” said Soltani. “While everyone is entitled to their own views, someone in a position of power and responsibility — such as a police officer — should be held to a higher standard of conduct and must be prepared to protect all the citizens of his or her community.”
He said CAIR offers a booklet, called “A Law Enforcement Official’s Guide to the Muslim Community,” which outlines basic information about Islamic beliefs that are relevant to law enforcement. It also covers issues such as the rights of Muslim law enforcement officers, religiously-sensitive techniques for body searches, proper etiquette for entering Muslim homes, and advice on outreach to the Islamic community.
SEE: A Law Enforcement Official’s Guide to the Muslim Community
http://www.cair.com/images/pdf/law_enforcement_guide.pdf
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 dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR 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: Adam Soltani, CAIR-OK Executive Director, 405-248-5853, aSoltani@cair.com; Veronica Laizure, CAIR-OK Civil Rights Director, 405-430-9877, vLaizure@cair.com