The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits will present a workshop and discussion on ‘Islamophobia’ and the work of nonprofits at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, 620 N Harvey.

The event, entitled “Impact of Islamophobia in the Work of Nonprofits” is being held in partnership with the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Oklahoma Chapter and the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

The discussion, led by Adam Soltani, CAIR-OK executive director, will focus on issues Muslims face and how nonprofit organizations, civic and faith leaders can address Islamophobia in their work and the community.

Daniel Billingsley, vice president of external affairs for the Center for Nonprofits, said the topic is especially timely given recent events and media attention.

“We began talking with CAIR earlier this year about presenting a workshop on Islamophobia,” Billingsley said. However, events in Orlando and France in recent days have made this especially important as we sort out the community’s response and how that will play into how Muslims are viewed and treated.”

Kari Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, also shared comments.

“One of the many things we realized from the Oklahoma City bombing is violence and hate are never the answer,” she said. “As people respond to the tragic events in Orlando, we hope this workshop encourages everyone to realize the impact that hate speech has in our community, at our workplaces and in our daily lives.”

The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits hopes that the workshop will help nonprofit, faith, civic and other leaders engage in a dialogue to understand the disastrous effects of hate speech and Islamophobia. Billingsley also noted that issues around homophobia and hate speech affecting other marginalized groups also will be addressed.

The Oklahoma City workshop will be streamed live on the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum’s Facebook page. The Center for Nonprofits and CAIR also will hold the workshop June 29 in Tulsa.

The workshop is a brown bag event and attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch.

For more information or to register, go online to okcnp.org.