(TULSA, OK, 5/14/2018) – On Tuesday, May 15, the Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma chapter (CAIR-OK), in conjunction with the ACLU of Oklahoma, will host a press conference in Tulsa to announce a lawsuit against the Tulsa County Sheriff for denying access to the Tulsa County Courthouse to a Muslim woman wearing an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.
WHAT: CAIR-OK, ACLU of Oklahoma Press Conference
WHERE: Dennis Neil Equality Center, 621 E. 4th St., Tulsa, OK 74120
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 15 at 1 p.m. CST
CONTACT: Veronica Laizure, CAIR-OK Civil Rights Director, 405-430-9877, vlaizure@cair.com
On May 15, CAIR-OK and ACLU of Oklahoma attorneys will file a petition on behalf of Suha Elqutt in the US District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Ms. Elqutt, when attempting to enter the Tulsa County Courthouse, was denied entry, then forced to remove her hijab in public and in the presence of several male deputies.
The Tulsa County Sheriff’s office is constitutionally required to make reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs. The ACLU and CAIR are seeking, on behalf of their client, injunctive relief to prevent the Tulsa County Sheriff from continuing this unconstitutional practice.
CAIR-Oklahoma staff will be available for interviews or comments after the press conference in both Tulsa and in Oklahoma City.
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 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.