The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released a new analysis detailing a multi-front effort to push Oklahoma Muslims outside the circle of the state’s protected civic and religious life — through legislation, through zoning, and through the investigative power of the state.
CAIR’s analysis, titled “As a Dog Returns to its Vomit: Anti-Muslim Extremism in Oklahoma in 2026,” states in part:
“In recent months, powerful public officials across our nation tried to tell Americans that our freedoms come with their conditions. We must look, speak, think, and worship in their approved ways or we do not belong.
“In Oklahoma, anti-Muslim extremists manifested these conditions by repeating a 2010 campaign seeking to essentially ban the practice of the world’s second largest religion in the state and deprive Muslims of places of worship. The effort to deny First Amendment protected freedom of religion in Oklahoma included legislative action, zoning, and the investigative power of the state.
“The First Amendment is not a privilege that government grants to Americans. It is a right that neither government nor public polling can touch. Public disfavor of a minority faith is not a credible basis to mobilize the government’s investigatory power.”
SEE: As a Dog Returns to its Vomit: Anti-Muslim Extremism in Oklahoma in 2026
SEE ALSO: CAIR’s Opinion Piece in the Oklahoman
Central to CAIR’s analysis is state Rep. Gabe Woolley’s (R-Broken Arrow) resurrection of an anti-Muslim extremist state constitutional amendment that the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unconstitutional in 2012.
As introduced, Woolley’s measure used the same name and substantially the same language as the previous measure. Woolley appears to believe that a new administration combined with the passage of 16 years opens a window for him to dictate what religions Oklahomans are permitted to practice.
SEE: Woolley Files Resolution to Ban Sharia Law in Oklahoma
CAIR also notes significant organizing against a proposed new mosque, distribution of fliers disparaging Islam to target a candidate for public office, and an investigation apparently launched not on credible evidence but due to “substantial public concern,” a sentiment that is neither an indicator of wrongdoing nor an investigative lead.
In its analysis, CAIR notes that Oklahomans have practiced the Islamic faith for decades, at least back to 1977, and points to a free clinic and food pantry Muslim provide to their neighbors. This includes citing a 1995 letter written by then-Governor Frank Keating thanking Muslims contributing to relief efforts in days after anti-government extremists bombed the Murrah Federal Building. Initial reporting inaccurately pointed to a possible Middle Eastern connection to the 1995 attack, which drove backlash against Arabs and Muslims around the country.
In March, CAIR released its 2026 Civil Rights Report “The Right to be Different,” which documents a pattern of public officials using their offices to narrow the definitions of what Americans can look like, say, or believe in 2025.
SEE: The Right to be Different
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com