Muslims In Oklahoma

Orhan Osman wants the same things any parent does for their children; a safe environment and a good education. Part of this education involves assuring his children have a grasp of Turkish, his own native language. "I can give you an example from my brother's life... They made a big mistake in Germany. They live in Germany, but his kids cannot speak Turkish... So they know nothing about Turkey and Turkish culture."

Orhan Osman was born in Turkey, and lived there for the first 20 years of his life. He came to America to further his education, first in Texas, eventually settling in Oklahoma in 2001 in hopes of expanded career opportunities.  Mr. Osman serves as the Director of the Raindrop Turkish House and the Executive Director of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog. To Osman, the greatest challenge facing the global community are the prejudices held in almost every community. "If you go to Turkey and ask about the American family life... you are not going to hear good things... If you ask Oklahomans 'What do you know about Muslims?' they will not say good things if they never have met with the Muslims. "

Mr. Osman’s plans hadn’t been to live in Oklahoma, or even America, from the start. "If you asked me what I was going to be at the age of 35... I never thought that I was going to be in Oklahoma or the United States...I never planned to stay that long, but I fell in love with the hospitality and generosity of the people of Oklahoma." He feels that this is becoming a much more common experience as our world transitions into a 'global village.' In his view, we can no longer afford to ignore each other on the basis of culture, ethnicity race or religion.

The Raindrop Turkish Cultural Center in Oklahoma City Oklahoma has a driving initiative to teach the Turkish language to first-generation American children of immigrants from Turkey in hopes that they become 'Turkish Americans in Oklahoma' with a firm grasp of both their parent's culture, and that of the surrounding Oklahoman community. 

The Raindrop Turkish house is meant to serve as a bridge between the greater Oklahoma community and the Turkish community within it. Annual trips to Turkey, symposia and public dinners attempt to open a dialogue within the Oklahoma City community and combat the isolation some ethnic communities are prone to suffer from.  Mr. Osman believes that the two communities are ready to greet each other with open arms as soon as one party steps forward. "As soon as I step forward they run to me... We have to get rid of out prejudices. This is what I have noticed throughout my living here for ten years in Oklahoma."

Orhan Osman remains adamant that the two communities are not as disparate as they might seem at first glance. "I love Oklahoma, and Oklahomans-- and I believe they love Turkey and Turkish people, too. This is the way we can [bring] this world peace and harmony, I believe"