EDMOND — Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Carl Albert wrote in his autobiography about why his father, Ernest Homer Albert, had only two years of formal education.

Homer Albert grew up in Krebs, a small town outside of McAlester in Pittsburg County, and the only grammer school in operation there in his youth was operated by members of the Roman Catholic faith. When Homer Albert was in his second year at that school he brought home a book that had a Catholic catechism in it, and his Protestant parents immediately removed him from that school to ensure that he would not be indoctrinated into the Catholic faith.

When a Roman Catholic New York governor was running for president in 1928 his arrival in Oklahoma resulted in the Oklahoma branch of the Klu Klux Klan igniting a large cross to protest his presence in the state.

Such incidents occurred throughout much of U.S. history and the American people are very aware of the divisions among followers of the Christian faith as a result. But Americans are seemingly unaware of the differences that exist among the many followers of Islam.

The recent controversy regarding the proposal to build a Muslim center several blocks from what has become known as “Ground Zero” in Manhattan where the World Trade Center formerly stood may be indicative of that lack of knowledge.

The leader of the group that is seeking to build that structure is Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who is a follower of the tolerant Sufi Muslim tradition that condemns violence and seeks understanding with those of other faiths. He has reached out to Christians and Jews in the New York City area, and has authored a book titled, “What is Right With Islam is What is Right With America.”

Rauf’s moderation has earned him and his followers the enmity of radical Muslims, but that has not deterred him from  continuing to preach his message of understanding and acceptance of those with different beliefs.

The center’s supporters, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, have correctly pointed out that its construction will convey to the world that the United States of America is a tolerant nation that welcomes people of all faiths. It would also be seen as a victory for moderate Muslims who are willing to work with people of good will regardless of their religious affiliation.

Oklahoma’s Muslims are currently involved in outreach to their individual communities in the state. The Oklahoma Chapter of the Interfaith Dialogue Institute was founded by Muslims who sought greater understanding with other faiths, and hosts dinners and luncheons to encourage such understanding.

To commemorate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims in the state are currently conducting food drives and volunteering at food banks and in other activities to assist the less fortunate. Those events are taking place in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Ardmore, Edmond, Lawton and several other communities.

The Turkish Raindrop House on Classen Boulevard in Oklahoma City will host an event on Sept. 3 that will highlight the role that fasting has played in Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

 In a display of public leadership, several days after the attacks on the World Trade Center, Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating visited an Oklahoma City mosque to show his support for the state’s Muslims. That community has continued to grow since that time, and Muslims have prospered throughout Oklahoma as physicians, professors and small business owners.

Their success and acceptance is indicative of how Oklahomans have grown to accept religious diversity in the state.



WILLIAM F. O’BRIEN is an Oklahoma City attorney.