"That's exactly what it says," Duncan said. "I think it's pretty straightforward. By their own admission those are the exact words. They don't all practice that."
Another 23 lawmakers later joined him in refusing the gift, which was offered by the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council as part of the state's centennial celebration, U.S. daily Tulsa World reported.
"Today, I'm an American Muslim, speaking for our brothers," said David Bernstein, executive director of the Jewish Federation. "Hateful words inevitably lead to hateful actions," he told a press conference held at a local mosque.
"Sometimes they set in motion a chain of events that turn them into self-fulfilling prophesy," Bernstein said, adding that hateful words often have an effect that the speaker did not desire or anticipate.
Keith McArtor, president of the Tulsa Interfaith Alliance, said he hoped the lawmakers who refused the Quran would become "better acquainted with the true tenets of Islam, which are based on brotherhood, love, respect and dignity."
Allison Moore, speaking for the Islamic Society of Tulsa, said Islam clearly denounces all forms of terrorism. "Our religion teaches us to be peaceful, tolerant, loving and respectful of neighbors and friends, and to uphold justice for all people," she said.
"We are deeply concerned about the rise in Islamophobic rhetoric…And we are very troubled by individuals who disrespect our holy book, the Quran, and quote verses out of context," Moore added.
Razi Hashmi, executive director of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said he found Duncan's statement Islamophobic and disturbing, coming from someone who should represent his pluralistic constituency regardless of faith.
Earlier this year, Oklahoma lawmakers received a copy of the Bible from The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
"It's one of the nicest things I've received in my three years in the Legislature," Duncan said of the Bible.
An estimated 30,000 to 50,000 Muslims live in Oklahoma. |
