‘Muslim-free’ gun range closes in Oklahoma.
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/n...253034728.html
A shooting range and once self-proclaimed “Muslim-free” zone is up for sale in Oklahoma, following a years-long legal battle brought by a Muslim resident.
“WE THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING OUR CUSTOMERS AND FRIENDS. ITS BEEN A PLEASURE!” the owners of Save Yourself Gun Club said in a Facebook post. Announcing their intention to sell, they offered specifics last week about the 2-acre Muskogee County property priced at $125,000.
The business in Oktaha, about 17 miles southwest of Muskogee, has been downsizing since the lawsuit against it came to an end.
Muslim community leaders and others aren’t shedding any tears over the latest news.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here? Looks like hate does not pay after all,” Adam Soltani, director of the Council on American Islamic Relations’ Oklahoma chapter, said on Facebook.
“The same gun range we took to court in a federal lawsuit for banning Muslims by declaring itself a ‘Muslim-Free Establishment’ is no more,” Soltani said.
Save Yourself Gun Club — formerly Save Yourself Survival and Tactical Gun Range — made headlines in 2015 over a sign posted at the business that read: “This privately owned business is a Muslim free establishment!!! We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone!!! Thank you!”
Several months later, Raja’ee Fatihah, a Muslim man, filed a lawsuit against Save Yourself, alleging the owners made good on the promise of their infamous sign, and kicked him out after he came to the range because of his faith. Fatihah said he had heard about the sign, and that it was the reason he chose to go to Save Yourself Survival.
The lawyer representing the gun range owners said Fatihah was not turned away because he is a follower of Islam, but because he “threatened people, (and) came in with an agenda to create a controversy,” the Tulsa World reported. Fatihah also told the owners he was a member of CAIR, the lawyer said.
Backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, and by CAIR, Fatihah’s legal fight went on for years until it was dismissed in April 2019, outlets reported.
In May 2020, Save Yourself announced it would be closing its store but keeping the range open for the time being to members only.
“I want to thank everyone who has shopped with us, those who call our place ‘their range’, everyone who stood by us during the court case,” the post said. “Unfortunately, we just can not bounce back this time.”
The range closed in March of this year, and the owners announced the price they’re looking to sell the property earlier this month.
“Good bye and good riddance, Oklahoma is a better place in spite of the hate you tried to propagate,” Soltani said, sharing Save Yourself’s sale announcement.
Some had ideas on what should become of the defunct business’s property.
“Some Muslim brother better buy it and run it!” one commented.
And one suggested giving it a second life as a place that welcomes everyone: “I think we should turn it into an interfaith peace retreat center.”
