This Civil Rights Report represents the culmination of another year’s hard work protecting civil liberties in Oklahoma. As a chapter, CAIR-OK cares deeply for the future of our state, and throughout 2018 I believe we have shown our dedication through every part of our work as a leading advocate for civil rights. Without your generous support, we would not be in a position to be recognized as champions of justice, nor would we be able to grow and expand as an organization to meet the many challenges that we face. For all you have granted me, and for the honor of serving as your Civil Rights Department, I thank you deeply.
The challenges of 2018 showed us the power of activism at the local, state, and national levels, and the importance of understanding the roots of historical oppression so that we may look forward to a better, brighter future. We have always striven to meet each new challenge with our best work and to keep you informed on how to be the most powerful advocates for your own community. Although we saw progress in some areas and welcomed positive growth in our coalition building and our community outreach, we also saw that Islamophobia, racism, and bigotry are still firmly entrenched among those who seem determined to remain hateful. We promise to maintain our stance against hatred and intolerance, and to reject those who would seek to divide our community with fear and mistrust. Now more than ever, it is vital that we remain connected to each other’s struggles and to recognize that none of us can truly advance if we are leaving others behind.
I am so grateful for the years I have had to learn from you, work with you, and join you in the fight to make our state safer for all its citizens. I thank you for your compassion and your willingness to join me in this struggle. You truly represent all that makes our community great, and I pledge that I will always remain your colleague, your advocate, and your friend.
As we continue our work as the state’s leading Muslim civil rights organization, I am confident that we will remain at the forefront of a new movement which seeks to uplift all voices and to empower all peoples, in the face of hate and division. Your support enables us to uplift our community as a voice for positive change in Oklahoma, and I thank you deeply for making our work possible.