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OKLAHOMA CITY — The head of CAIR-OK, his organization and a well-known local spiritual leader were called terrorists Tuesday during a House interim study.

Adam Soltani, executive director of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, members of the organization and Imam Imad S. Enchassi of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City were in the audience when the remarks were made. An imam is an Islamic leadership position.

CAIR is a Muslim civil liberties and advocacy group working to enhance the understanding of Islam.

The interim study was requested by Rep. John Bennett, R-Sallisaw, who has said Islam is a cancer that needs to be cut out of the nation. He is running for re-election.

The study request was approved by House Speaker Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview. Three lawmakers, including Bennett, attended the study.

Soltani said there is no evidence to support the allegations that he, CAIR or Enchassi are terrorists.

“Rep. Bennett is shamefully wasting taxpayer money to promote his own biased agenda,” Soltani said. “This hearing was a new low for Rep. Bennett, as his guests presented a biased narrative that achieves nothing more than demonizing and marginalizing the Oklahoma Muslim community.”