Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced on January 8, 2026, that his office will investigate whether a proposed mosque and commercial development in Broken Arrow complies with state and federal laws, prompting sharp criticism from civil rights organizations who characterize the probe as religiously motivated. The investigation comes just days before the Broken Arrow City Council is scheduled to vote on the project at a special meeting on January 12, following the Planning Commission’s approval in December 2025.
Public Safety or Religious Discrimination?
Drummond justified the investigation by citing “substantial public concern” about the ownership structure, governance, and financing of the project, according to a statement from his office. The Attorney General specifically referenced that the land is owned by the North American Islamic Trust, which he claims “reportedly has ties to the radical Muslim Brotherhood”.
“Given the realities of global terrorism, there can be no compromise on public safety and security,” Drummond stated in his official announcement. “In our state, we have already seen a radical Islamist sentenced for plotting mass murder. Several 9/11 hijackers had attended an Oklahoma flight school. It is only appropriate to act with caution when the project in question might have connections to the Muslim Brotherhood,” according to the Attorney General’s press release.
Civil Rights Groups Condemn Investigation as “Witch Hunt”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma chapter (CAIR-OK) sharply rebuked the investigation, characterizing it as unconstitutional targeting of Muslims. “Launching a witch hunt into a mosque without any evidence of wrongdoing sends the message to Oklahoma Muslims that their houses of worship will experience heightened scrutiny simply because of their faith,” CAIR-Oklahoma Executive Director Veronica Laizure said in a statement.
Laizure further warned that “if Attorney General Drummond dares to flout the law by interfering with this house of worship, he should expect to find himself answering for his actions in a court of law,” as reported by KTUL. CAIR-OK emphasized that the investigation “mirrors a broader pattern of anti-Muslim initiatives we are seeing from public officials in multiple states, where anti-Muslim fearmongering is used for political gain rather than to uphold justice or the Constitution”.
Project Details and Local Funding Claims
The Islamic Society of Tulsa purchased the 15.06-acre property in 2014 through charitable donations from Greater Tulsa residents, according to the organization’s statement. The proposed development includes a 42,000-square-foot community center, a worship center, a public medical clinic, and retail space.
“The land for the proposed project was purchased in 2014 through charitable donations from residents of the Greater Tulsa region. No foreign funding was sought or received for either the acquisition of the property or the planning of this project,” the Islamic Society stated, as reported by KTUL. The organization explained that the project aims to “address persistent overcrowding at IST’s existing Midtown Tulsa location, particularly during Friday prayers and Ramadan services”.
Political Context and First Amendment Concerns
The investigation comes as Drummond is running for governor this year, according to the Black Chronicle. Legal experts who reviewed the case told the Black Chronicle that “rejecting the project on religious grounds would violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution”.
The Broken Arrow Planning Commission approved the rezoning request and conditional use permit on December 18, 2025, after what the Islamic Society described as “more than a decade” of coordination with city professional staff, ensuring full compliance with all applicable laws, zoning requirements, and regulatory standards, according to KTUL. Estimates indicate approximately 10,000 Muslims live in the greater Tulsa area.