Norman — Pushing for “a new era of hope,” The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Oklahoma Chapter will present its fourth annual banquet Saturday at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Muesum.
CAIR Oklahoma pushes to be an advocate for justice and “to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding,” according to the group’s Web site.
Registration begins 6 p.m. Saturday with the dinner and program starting at 7.
The keynote speaker will be Anna Baltzer, an author and international human rights activist.
Baltzer is a Jewish-American graduate of Columbia University, former Fulbright scholar, the granddaughter of Holocaust refugees and an award-winning lecturer, author, and activist for Palestinian human rights.
Among her honors, she was recipient of the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee’s annual Rachel Corrie Peace & Justice Award in 2009. She serves on the Middle East committee of the Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom and the Board of Directors of The Research Journalism Initiative, Grassroots Jerusalem, and The Council for the National Interest.
Also appearing at the event will be Rodwan Saleh, a motivational speaker and former president of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston.
Saleh has held multiple roles within the Islamic community and is a board member of Darul Arqam, a full-time Islamic school in Singapore.
The master of ceremonies for the evening is comedian Preacher Moss, founder of “Allah Made Me Funny — The Official Muslim Comedy Tour.” Moss has worked as a writer for Damon Wayans, Darrell Hammond and George Lopez, among others.
Moss uses humor in his lecture presentation “End of Racism,” which takes on issues like racism and multiculturalism in post-Sept. 11 America.
Tickets are $35 for an individual, $60 for a couple or $450 for a table of 10 or more people. They can be purchased by calling 415-6851, e-mailing info@ok.cair.com or going online to ok.cair.com/index. php.
