OKLAHOMA CITY — Muslims visited the Oklahoma State Capitol Friday with government leaders, and were met with dozens of Anti-Islamic protesters.
The day began like it was planned for the more than 100 Muslims. But around 2 o’clock, as dozens of them knelt down to pray, a Christian protester shouted out the Lord’s prayer, seemingly trying to drown out the Muslim worshipers.
We spoke to that protester and her group just minutes before.
“…lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory. For ever and ever. Amen. That is our message,” Christine Weick said.
That message was cut short. Troopers escorted her out, saying the group of protesters did not have a permit to be inside the capitol.
“I’m a little bit upset about this because this is something that we were told is open to the public, and we are a part of the public,” Weick said.
The Muslim community says their purpose for gathering at the state capitol was peaceful.
“Today, we’re spreading a message of love, peace, and understanding with each other,” Adam Soltani, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said.
They highlighted and defended the rights of Muslims in Oklahoma. One issue they addressed was racial profiling.
“Even at a very small level, our kids going to school. There are times they feel that other kids are kind of looking at them different because of their skin color or because they know that they are Muslims,” Ayesha Sattar said.
Protesters outside were sending a different message.
“They’re trying to pretend to be good until it’s time to be evil. They’re just infiltrating the system,” one protester said.
The Muslim Community is hoping their visit to the capitol gives people a better understanding of who they are.
This was Oklahoma’s first ever Muslim Day at the State Capitol.
