A House lawmaker is calling for the Governor’s Ethnic American Advisory Council to be disbanded or reconfigured to better reflect “the true diversity of Oklahoma,” he said today.
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Rep. Mike Reynolds said more than one minority group should be represented on an ethnic advisory council. Gov. Brad Henry said through a spokesman Monday he does not plan to break up the council.
The group was formed in 2004 and consists of five to 15 representatives of the Middle East/Near East community in Oklahoma. Last week, the council sent an e-mail to lawmakers saying they plan to give each of them a Centennial edition of the Quran to mark Oklahoma’s statehood next month. Private money raised in Oklahoma’s Muslim community will pay for the books, the chairman of the council has said.
At least 25 lawmakers, including Reynolds, asked to not receive the Quran, with at least one saying the Muslim holy book encourages the death of nonbelievers.
“The council should either be reformed to reflect its apparent mission or preferably disbanded,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City.
Reynolds claims the group is made up of “Muslim activists” and called the gift of the Quran inappropriate since “Islam simply has not played a role in our state’s or country’s history.”
Henry said the council “plays an important role for the large community of Middle Eastern immigrants living in Oklahoma.”
“Other boards created for Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans and other groups are equally important because they provide a forum for discussion of issues that are often unique to a particular ethnic community,” said Paul Sund, Henry’s spokesman.
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I have lived in several Muslim countries. Don't recall anyone trying to kill me because the Koran said to. I'm much more concerned about fundamentalist Christians trying to dictate morality for the entire country.
You know, I for one am sick to death of this so-called "Quran flap". This is nothing more than political terrorism designed to assassinate the character of the 24 legislators who refused this book. And this dead horse has been beat into the ground all week. I say it's time for Oklahomans to rally in front of OPUBCO and let Ed Kelly know just how sick we are of this garbage.
I agree with Mike Reynolds. The title "The Governor’s Ethnic American Advisory Council" is deceiving. Either include all ethnics or change the name to what it actually is; "Governor’s Middle Eastern Advisory Council".
Islam and Allah got a backdoor invite into our state and country's history and makeup via the Masons and Shriners. Coming from a long line of Shriners and one who as "visited" many times the temples in Guthrie and McAlester along with an unauthorized visit of the International order of the Rainbow Girls HQ, I can tell you the place is awash in Islamic symbols. Mostly the places you cannot get into without breaking the visitation rules. As kids, me and friends just walked nilly/willy into the Guthrie temple (former state capitol) and right past the offices, up the stairs, through the library, and just about anywhere we desired. Symbols of Allah, Mecca, and Islam, abounded everywhere along with a plethora of Baal, Egyptian, and Moores. A dying shriner once told me the red fez is a shrine to Allah, representing the blood of Christians butchered by Muslims. The fez even features an Islamic crescent. No Mason or Shriner will counter this because it is sacriledge to talk about their symbols outside the "faith." One of their chants they do even ends with Alla-Allah. Don't worry, I'm neither a Mason or Shriner, I didn't take the oath. If you are ever in McAlester, visit the Scotish Rite and ask to visit the Chamber of Skulls. This will not happen. Then go down the street to the International order of the Rainbow Girls HQ and ask to see the Chamber of the Star. You will be turned down.
David, false attributions, politically-correct talking points, and logical fallacies stacked one up on top of another is not a serious argument, or any kind of argument, of that matter. Your petulant childishness is noted, and duly dismissed.
As I read many of the comments below it makes me ashamed of my home state. Perhaps you all would rather build detention camps and we can place all Muslims in them. Admit it that's what most of you really want done but don't have the courage to say it. Not all Oklahomans share your provincial and backward views.
I have no problem hearing about it but, I think they should take all religion out of goverment because what's good for one is not good for the other in this case & Kenny damn your just asking for trouble !!!
I think it is unfair to tar all Muslims with the brush of the extremists. It would be like saying all Christians believed in what the KKK has done in the name of Jesus Christ. Christ preached tolerance and finding the good in others. Why can't we do the same? Are we so insecure in our own faith that we can't stand even to hear about another one?
Robin, the people that love to see this stuff happen are the owners of this newspaper. Let's face it, how often do you get a full story out of this paper if it could possibly shine a light on something good that a Republican or any decent person in office has ever done? It just doesn't happen. Thank you to the Gaylords.
Well said Jason, this should be disbanded in my opinion & after reading this stuff day after day I have come to realize this has to be driven by some political machine! Why would anyone want to start this kind of Debate in Oklahoma the Bible belt& yes out of ignorance I want someone out there to tell me .
It should be disbanded: the state of Oklahoma has not the slightest legitimate public interest in monitoring Oklahoma's "diversity." That's the Census Bureau's job. What this council is REALLY about, and has been all along, is a forum for politically-correct fanatics to grind their dreary ideological axes and spew nonsense.
An advisory council would seem a poor conduit for a gift of religious literature. The Ethnic Advisory Council would seem a horrible name for a group consisting solely of adherents to a particular religion with origins from a particular part of the world. Especially considering that there are probably more Oklahoma residents and certainly citizens who are or whose parents are, here because of persecution in those same areas because they are Christian or Jewish. Just another example of the Jimmy Carter-like qualities of Governor Henry.
And rick, all the members of the council, including those with direct ties to Hamas, are Muslims, all with Arabic or perhaps Farsi, names. Just one REDNECK's thoughts. I care far less about the race of the represenatives than I do about their beliefs. Or is looking at content of their character instead of the color of their skin too deep a concept for such an enlightened individual as yourself.
I agree with Mike Reynolds. Islam has not played a part in the history of our State or our country for that matter. I believe we should treat all people fair and just, but if their belief is dangerous to the security of our nation then we should proceed with caution.
Bobby-Piedmont, I've been outside this country, deal with Muslims on a daily basis and yes, many here in the states are very peaceful. But do you have any knowledge of all the teachings of Islam? I'm just asking a question because not only this subject but on others many have said that Islam as a whole is a peaceful religion and I've done studies into Islam and there are peaceful teachings but in the end death shall come to those who do not follow Muhammad's teachings, whether they be the breathren of the book or Jewish. If the Ethnic Advisory Board is to truly be an "Ethnic Board" it should hold more than one ethnic group. If it is not going to hold more than one ethnic group then maybe is should be renamed.
The story doesn't give the total number of people on this ethinic diversity board. It only gives the total number of middle eastern members. 15 wouldn't be much of a representation if the total number was 500. Maybe our "REDNECK" newspaper could give the FULL STORY? I would also like to know how many total people of each race are represented. It wouldn't be true "diversity" if it was slanted and other races weren't represented properly.
I am getting tired of these redneck law makers, who have never left Oklahoma and continue to say that the Quran preaches hate and violence against our country. I went to college in Vermont and Washington D.C. and had many Muslim friends and they were peaceful people who were ashamed of what a select group of people had done in the name of their religon.
I guess our lawmakers have forgotten about the fact that our religion has prosecuted people in the name of the Lord!!! Does the Crusades or The Salem Witch Trails ring a bell!!!
My problem with this council is the name. If it is made up of all people of Middle Eastern descent than why isn't called the Middle Eastern Advisory Council? Since it is the Ethnic Advisory Council then it should be more than one ethnicity. And if it is based on Islam as a religion then shouldn't Hindus or Buddists be included too? Just thought I would pose some questions...
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Gee, wasn't Ali Hakeem in "Oklahoma!" Islamic.
And rick, all the members of the council, including those with direct ties to Hamas, are Muslims, all with Arabic or perhaps Farsi, names. Just one REDNECK's thoughts. I care far less about the race of the represenatives than I do about their beliefs. Or is looking at content of their character instead of the color of their skin too deep a concept for such an enlightened individual as yourself.
I guess our lawmakers have forgotten about the fact that our religion has prosecuted people in the name of the Lord!!! Does the Crusades or The Salem Witch Trails ring a bell!!!