CAIR Asks Muslims to Pray for, Aid Oklahoma Tornado Victims 
Home of CAIR-OK's board chair destroyed while family huddled in closet

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/21/13) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged American Muslims to offer whatever assistance they can to help alleviate the suffering of those impacted by yesterday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma.

CAIR also urged Muslims and Americans of all faiths to pray for the victims and their loved ones. The civil rights group's Oklahoma chapter is teaming up with the Islamic Society of Tulsa and the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City to collect items to prepare disaster relief kits for the victims of the storms.

SEE:  Collecting Items for Disaster Relief Kits for Moore Tornado Victims

"We ask Muslims in Oklahoma and throughout the United States to pray for those impacted by this disaster and to do whatever they can to offer material assistance to the survivors," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "It is at times like this that we must come together as a nation to help those in need."

Awad said the home of CAIR's Oklahoma chapter board chair, Saad Mohammed, was destroyed while his family sought shelter from the tornado in a closet. No one in the family was injured.

"CAIR-Oklahoma will coordinate with disaster officials to help facilitate the Muslim community's role in the recovery effort," said the chapter's executive director Adam Soltani.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.