Oklahoma Muslims are on the alert this weekend as Internet chatter suggests that anti-Muslim protests are being planned at 20 U.S. cities, including Oklahoma City.
Internet organizers call the events Global Rally for Humanity.
Adam Soltani, executive director of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said he had not heard of any protests planned at the Islamic Society of Tulsa mosque, but that the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City may be a target.
He said protests also are possible at a Muslim conference at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, where the Islamic Circle of North America is conducting a conference this weekend on the life of Mohammad. Soltani said it is the first major event by the organization’s Oklahoma chapter, which has been in the state about a year.
Sheryl Siddiqui, spokeswoman for the Islamic Council of Oklahoma, said a website promoting anti-Muslim protests planned for Friday and Saturday had Oklahoma City in a list of 20 U.S. mosques where protests are planned.
She said the protests coincide with the Friday opening of the mosque’s Mercy Mission Building, a center for social services.
“We’ve met with the police and the FBI and are preparing our folks to be more aware; if you see something, say something,” Siddiqui said.
National CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper told CBS News that the organization watches hate groups and that the talk about the Oct. 10 rallies was unusually concerning.
Muslim and interfaith leaders in a phone conference this week suggested that mosques stay open and operate normally, fly an American flag, serve water to visitors, treat demonstrators with respect and avoid confrontation.