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{{short description|American Muslim advocacy group}} | |||
{{Totally-disputed|date=March 2008}} | |||
{{Infobox organization | |||
] | |||
| name = Council on American–Islamic Relations | |||
| type = ] | |||
| tax_id = 77-0646756 | |||
| image = CAIR logo.svg | |||
| size = | |||
| motto = | |||
| formation = {{start date and age|1994|06}} | |||
| founder = ] | |||
| headquarters = ] | |||
| location = 453 New Jersey Ave., S.E. | |||
| region_served = ] | |||
| purpose = Muslim activism<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030203502/https://www.c-span.org/organization/?31310/Council-AmericanIslamic-Relations |date=October 30, 2020 }} Retrieved 10 October 2020</ref><ref name=prnewswireactivism>{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-280-delegates-lobby-congress-on-historic-first-national-muslim-advocacy-day-300064951.html|title=CAIR: 280 Delegates Lobby Congress on 'Historic' First National Muslim Advocacy Day|first=Council on American-Islamic|last=Relations|access-date=October 20, 2015|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081103/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-280-delegates-lobby-congress-on-historic-first-national-muslim-advocacy-day-300064951.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TP>{{cite web|url=https://progressive.org/dispatches/what-you-can-do-council-on-american-islamic-relations/|author=Oliver Ortega|title=What You Can Do: Council on American-Islamic Relations|date=2 February 2017|website=The Progressive (magazine)|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010220447/https://progressive.org/dispatches/what-you-can-do-council-on-american-islamic-relations/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| leader_title = Executive Director | |||
| leader_name = ] | |||
| key_people = Roula Allouch<br />{{small|(Chairperson)}}<br />]<br />{{small|(Board VP)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cair-ny.org/meet-the-team |title=Staff |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2022 |publisher=CAIR-NY |access-date=20 November 2023 |quote= |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121021733/https://www.cair-ny.org/meet-the-team |url-status=live }}</ref><br />Ibrahim Hooper<br />{{small|(National Communications Director)}} | |||
| num_staff = 70+ {{Update inline|date=June 2016}} | |||
| num_volunteers = 300+ {{Update inline|date=June 2016}} | |||
| website = {{Official URL}} | |||
| remarks = | |||
}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}} | |||
{{Islamophobia}} | |||
The '''Council on American–Islamic Relations''' ('''CAIR''') is a ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/resources/civil-rights-organizations|title=Civil Rights Organizations — The Civil Rights Project at UCLA|website=The Civil Rights Project (UCLA) website|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804214723/https://www.civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/resources/civil-rights-organizations|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/news/mystery-letter-to-civil-rights-group-threatens-eradication-of-islam-7641820|title=Mystery letter to civil rights group threatens eradication of Islam - City Pages|first=Susan|last=Du|website=City Pages|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619012729/http://www.citypages.com/news/mystery-letter-to-civil-rights-group-threatens-eradication-of-islam-7641820|url-status=live}}</ref> and ].<ref name=prnewswireactivism/> It is headquartered on ] in ], with regional offices nationwide. Through civil rights actions, media relations, civic engagement, and education, CAIR works to promote social, legal and political activism among ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Aoude |first=Safia |title=Islam Matters - How the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) promotes the legitimacy of American Muslims |url=https://www.academia.edu/30645327/Islam_Matters_How_the_Council_on_American_Islamic_Relations_CAIR_promotes_the_legitimacy_of_American_Muslims |journal=University of Copenhagen |via=Academia.edu}}</ref> | |||
== History == | |||
The '''Council on American-Islamic Relations''' ('''CAIR''') is a "] and ]" for ] in ] that was created in June of 1994; its professed goals are to "enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice and empower ]."<ref name='CAIR-25FACTS'> {{cite web|url=http://www.cair.com/factsaboutcair.asp |title=25 Facts about CAIR: Did you know? |accessdate=2007-08-25 |publisher=CAIR }}</ref><ref></ref> | |||
=== Early years (1994–2001) === | |||
CAIR was founded in June 1994.<ref name="north american muslim resource guide"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917211856/https://books.google.com/books?id=oL3ywNT--d4C&dq=%22cair%22+relations&pg=PA133 |date=September 17, 2023 }}. Mohamed Nimer, Taylor & Francis, 2002, {{ISBN|978-0-415-93728-3}}.</ref> CAIR's first office was located in Washington, D.C., as is its present-day headquarters on ]. Its founding was partly in response to the film '']'', which Arab and Muslim groups condemned for its stereotyping of Arab and Muslim villains.<ref name="jack shaheen">], "Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People", 2001, {{ISBN|1-56656-388-7}}, Olive Branch Press</ref> The offices opened a month before the film's release. CAIR's first advocacy campaign was in response to an offensive greeting card that used the term "shia" to refer to human excrement. CAIR led a national campaign and used activists to pressure the greeting card company, which eventually withdrew the card from the market.<ref name="north american muslim resource guide" /><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112204332/http://www.islamicvoice.com/july.2000/news.htm |date=November 12, 2010 }}. Islamic Voice. Retrieved on March 19, 2011.</ref><ref>Noakes, Greg. "CAIR Counters Anti-Islam Card". Washington Report on Middle East Affairs November/December 1994: 62–64</ref> | |||
In 1995, CAIR handled its first case of ] discrimination, in which a Muslim employee was denied the right to wear the hijab; this type of complaint became one of the most common received by CAIR's civil rights department.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917211855/https://books.google.com/books?id=x03mFxZTv44C&dq=cair+%22Council+on+American-Islamic+Relations%22&pg=PA57 |date=September 17, 2023 }}. Hadda, Yazbeck, and Smith, Jane I. p. 35, Rowman Altamira, 2002, {{ISBN|0-7591-0218-X}}, 9780759102187, accessed November 30, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w2rc0RI7EqYC|title=The Arab Americans|first=Randa A.|last=Kayyali|date=January 1, 2006|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780313332197|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/muslimwomeniname00hadd |url-access=registration |quote=cair Council on American-Islamic Relations. |title=Muslim women in America: the challenge of Islamic identity today |first1=Yvonne |last1=Yazbeck Haddad |first2=Jane I. |last2=Smith |first3=Kathleen M. |last3=Moore |page= |publisher=]|location=US |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-19-517783-1 |access-date=November 20, 2009}}</ref> | |||
Critics have charged that the organization and its leadership have ties to ] terrorist organizations and ideologies.<ref name="NYTCAIR1">{{cite news|publisher=] |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/washington/14cair.html?ei=5088&en=f218b5bb420d4661&ex=1331524800&pagewanted=print|title=" Scrutiny Increases for a Group Advocating for Muslims in U.S."|author=]|date=03-14-2007}}</ref><ref name=TNR/><ref> | |||
*{{cite news | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16384987/site/newsweek/ | title=CAIR Play? | publisher=Newsweek | work=Newsweek | author=Michael Isikoff | coauthors=Mark Hosenball |date=2006-12-29}} | |||
*{{cite news | title=Crying wolf: is America a dangerous place for its Muslim citizens? | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_4_58/ai_n16359632 | publisher=] | work=National Review | author=Daniel Mandel |date=2006-03-13}} | |||
*{{cite news | url=http://www.meforum.org/article/916 | title=CAIR: Islamists Fooling the Establishment | author=Daniel Pipes | coauthors=Sharon Chadha | publisher=Middle East Forum | work=] | date=Spring 2006}} | |||
*{{cite news | url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-529723/CAIR-and-terrorism-EDITORIALS.html | title=CAIR and terrorism | publisher=The Washington Times | work=] |date=2004-07-04}}</ref> | |||
CAIR continued its advocacy work in the aftermath of the April 19, 1995 ] of the Murrah Federal Building. Following the attack, Muslim-Americans were subjected to an upsurge in harassment and discrimination, including a rise in hate crimes nationally;<ref>A Rush to Judgment: A Special Report on Anti-Muslim Stereotyping. Harassment and Hate Crimes Following the Bombing of Oklahoma City's Murrah Federal Building, April 19, 1995 (Washington, D.C.: Council on American-Islamic Relations, 1995), 9–20.</ref><ref>"Arab-Americans Suffer Hatred after Bombing", ''Chicago Sun-Times'', May 13, 1995</ref> 222 hate crimes against Muslims nationwide were reported in the days immediately following the bombing.<ref>Richard Roper (April 24, 1995). . '']''.{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>James Brooke, (August 28, 1995) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314160317/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/28/us/attacks-on-us-muslims-surge-even-as-their-faith-takes-hold.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |date=March 14, 2017 }} '']'' (accessed 10 October 2020)</ref> The bombing gave CAIR national stature for their efforts to educate the public about Islam and religious bias in America; their report was featured on the front page of '']'' on August 28, 1995, and was subsequently mentioned on '']''.<ref name="north american muslim resource guide" /> | |||
<!-- CAIR was co-founded by members and co-founders of the ] ] ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=1668 | title = Subversion from Within: Saudi Funding of Islamic Extremist Groups in the United States | author = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2008-03-01 | work = ] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.adl.org/Israel/cair.asp | title = Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) | work = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2008-03-01 }}</ref> The United States federal government accused the group of being one of many groups that conspires with the ] to assist terrorists; U.S. Rep. ] and the Anti-Terrorism/Jihad Caucus of the US House of Representatives have also accused CAIR along with the ] and other groups of being fronts for same. --> | |||
==Overview== | |||
In 1996, CAIR began "CAIR-NET", a read-only e-mail ] aimed to help American Muslims identify and combat anti-Muslim prejudice in the U.S. and Canada. CAIR-NET contained descriptions of news, bias incidents or hate speech and hate crimes, often followed by information as to whom readers may contact to influence resolution of an issue.<ref>Smith, Jane. ''Islam in America''. New York. ], 1999.</ref> CAIR also held its first ] in 1996; CAIR continues to encourage active political participation by American Muslims, for them to address political candidates and elected representatives with greater frequency.<ref>Wilgoren, Debbi. "Making Muslim Voices Heard: To Promote the Vote, Leaders Provide Answers and Forms". '']''. September 14, 1996: B01.</ref> | |||
Headquartered in ], with 35 regional offices and chapters in the U.S. and ], CAIR was founded in 1994 by ], ], and ]<ref> | |||
*</ref> of the ] front ]. | |||
In 1996, CAIR published a report ''The Usual Suspects'' regarding its perception of anti-Muslim rhetoric in the media after the crash of ]. Their research showed 138 uses of the terms "Muslim" and "Arab" in the 48 hours after the crash in ], ], and ] articles covering the incident. The official ] report said that the crash was most likely caused by mechanical failure.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917211855/https://books.google.com/books?id=oL3ywNT--d4C&dq=cair+relations+council&pg=PA133 |date=September 17, 2023 }}. Mohamed Nimer, p. 134, Taylor & Francis, 2002, {{ISBN|978-0-415-93728-3}}. Accessed December 9, 2009.</ref> | |||
Based on their 2006 annual budget report, the Washington Times estimated that CAIR has less than 1,700 members, and that based on their tax report figures, their membership dropped by 94% between 2001 and 2007.<ref name=MEMBERSHIP> ''The Washington Times''</ref><ref name=MEMBERSHIP2>{{cite news | |||
| last =Hudson | |||
| first =Audrey | |||
| title =CAIR membership falls 90% since 9/11 | |||
| work =The Washington Times | |||
|date=2007-06-12 | |||
| url =http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070612-122251-2620r.htm | |||
| accessdate =2007-06-13}}</ref> CAIR denies this report and attributes the discrepancy in budget and membership to recent free and low-cost membership drives. <ref name=CAIRrebuttal> CAIR</ref>. According to CAIR, some 10,000 people attended CAIR fundraising events in 2007 alone. Also, the number of chapters have increased from 8 to 33 since 2001. Tax reports show about two dozen donors are donating $1-2 million total per year.<ref name=MEMBERSHIP2 /> As of ] the CAIR web site had a 2006 annual report available.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| title =2006 Annual Report | |||
| publisher =Council on American-Islamic Relations | |||
| url =http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/2006_Annual_Report.pdf | |||
| format =PDF | |||
| accessdate =2008-03-14 }}</ref> | |||
In 1997, CAIR objected to the production of sneakers made by ] with a design on the heel similar to the Arabic word for "Allah".<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510020734/https://www.cincinnati.com/ |date=May 10, 2024 }} The Cincinnati Enquirer, June 25, 1997. Accessed October 24, 2011</ref> As part of an agreement reached between CAIR officials and Nike representatives, Nike apologized to the Muslim community, recalled the products carrying the design, launched an investigation as to how the logo came about, and built a number of children's playgrounds near some Islamic centers in America.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112111846/http://articles.cnn.com/1998-11-21/us/9811_21_nike.islamic_1_nihad-awad-playgrounds-cair?_s=PM%3AUS |date=November 12, 2011 }}. Mohamed Nimer, p. 134, Taylor & Francis, 2002, {{ISBN|978-0-415-93728-3}}. Accessed December 9, 2009.</ref> | |||
CAIR’s literature describes its vision as a Muslim civil liberties and advocacy group is to build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. Its mission is based on three core goals – enhancing understanding of Islam, promoting justice and empowering American Muslims.<ref></ref> | |||
In 1997, as ] are seen as ] by some Muslims, CAIR wrote to United States Supreme Court Chief Justice ] requesting that the sculpted representation of ] on the north frieze inside the Supreme Court building be removed or sanded down. About the request, CAIR spokesman Nihad Awad said, "We believe the court had good intention by honoring the prophet, so we appreciate that. We want to be flexible, and we're willing to pay for the changes ourselves." The court rejected CAIR's request in the end.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904200316/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/supcourt/stories/sculpture.htm |date=September 4, 2017 }} March 8, 1997.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219184138/http://www.newsweek.com/how-ban-images-muhammad-came-be-300491 |date=February 19, 2017 }} January 19, 2015.</ref> | |||
CAIR says that it works in close cooperation with other civic and civil liberties groups such as the ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], among many others. In 2003, the ] chapter of the ] gave its annual ] to the Ohio chapter of CAIR "for contributions to the advancement and protection of civil liberties."<ref>http://cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=32696&page=NB</ref> | |||
=== Post-9/11 (2001–present) === | |||
CAIR has successfully formed partnership with the ] and held dialogue with representatives of the ].{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
CAIR strongly condemned the 9/11 terrorist attacks and has a long history of condemning and combating extremism.<ref></ref> In October 2001, CAIR opposed the ] after the ].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bp6kj6SbgtYC&q=cair+%22random+house%22+%22Council+on+American+Islamic+Relations%22&pg=PA71 |last1=Frum |first1=David |last2=Perle |first2=Richard |title=An end to evil: how to win the war on terror |publisher=Random House |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-345-47717-0 |access-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510020839/https://books.google.com/books?id=Bp6kj6SbgtYC&q=cair+%22random+house%22+%22Council+on+American+Islamic+Relations%22&pg=PA71#v=onepage&q=cair%20%22random%20house%22%20%22Council%20on%20American%20Islamic%20Relations%22&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> By January 2002, four months after the attacks, the CAIR said that it had received 1,658 reports of discrimination, profiling, harassment, and physical assaults against persons appearing Arab or Muslim, a threefold increase over the prior year. The reports included beatings, death threats, abusive police practices, and employment and airline-related discrimination."<ref>Cole, David. ''Enemy Aliens''. New York. The New Press, 2003. Page 47</ref> | |||
A CAIR initiative funded in part by a $500,000 donation from Saudi Prince ] sent a set of 18 books and tapes to public libraries written by Muslim and non-Muslim authors on Islamic history and practices, as well as an English translation of the ].<ref name="tro">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dYSdmKGJreEC&q=cair+%22Council+on+American-Islamic+Relations%22&pg=PA30|last=Tobin|first=Gary A.|author-link=Gary Tobin|year=2008|title=The trouble with textbooks: distorting history and religion|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=9780739130940|access-date=April 19, 2016|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510020726/https://books.google.com/books?id=dYSdmKGJreEC&q=cair+%22Council+on+American-Islamic+Relations%22&pg=PA30#v=snippet&q=cair%20%22Council%20on%20American-Islamic%20Relations%22&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
CAIR focuses on the ] of Muslims in America. It advocates on behalf of Muslims and others who allege they have experienced religious discrimination, ], or ]s.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
In 2005, CAIR coordinated the joint release of a ] by 344 American Muslim organizations, mosques, and imams nationwide that stated: "Islam strictly condemns ] and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through ]s or any other method of attack is '']'' or forbidden—and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not ]s."<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814183744/http://www.cair.com/FatwaJuly2005.pdf |date=August 14, 2007 }}. CAIR.com.</ref> The fatwa cited passages from the Quran and hadith that prohibit violence against innocent people and injustice, and was signed by the ]. Authors Kim Ezra Shienbaum and Jamal Hasan felt it did not go far enough in that it did not address attacks on military targets.<ref>Shienbaum, Kim Ezra and Hasan, Jamal (2006). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917211856/https://books.google.com/books?id=RlzoCz83O7IC&dq=cair+%22Council+on+American-Islamic+Relations%22&pg=PT20 |date=September 17, 2023 }}. p. xxi. Academica Press LLC. {{ISBN|978-1-933146-19-5}}. Accessed November 30, 2009.</ref> | |||
CAIR has been critical of a number of U.S. criminal ]s, arguing, for example in one of many cases, that ] ], deemed the ringleader of the ] in 1993, and convicted of ] to blow up the ] and other ] landmarks, did not receive a fair trial.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
Also in 2005, following the ] at the ], CAIR initiated an "Explore the Quran" campaign, aimed at providing free copies of the Quran to any person who requested it.<ref>Tariq Ghazi, Muhammad (2006). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917211856/https://books.google.com/books?id=FxZ2oS7tNX0C&dq=cair+%22Council+on+American-Islamic+Relations%22&pg=PA137 |date=September 17, 2023 }}. AuthorHouse. p. 119. {{ISBN|978-1-4259-4764-4}}, accessed November 30, 2009.</ref> | |||
CAIR often defends groups called "Islamic Charities", but which have been accused of sending money to terrorist groups in the Middle East. CAIR has issued a statement condemning the most recent indictments against members of the ], the American branch of which was closed in 2004 after being declared a global terrorist organization.<ref>http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0703090290mar09,1,7491527.story?ctrack=1&cset=true</ref>{{Verify source|date=February 2008}}{{Dead link|date=February 2008}} | |||
In 2006, during the ], CAIR responded by launching an educational program "Explore the Life of Muhammad", to bring "people of all faiths together to learn more about the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and to use mutual understanding as a counterweight to the tensions created by the cartoon controversy".<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917160734/http://www.cair.com/Muhammad/ |date=September 17, 2009 }}. CAIR. Retrieved on March 19, 2011.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927204654/http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-14-2006/0004282099&EDATE=Islam%20in%20America%20Ad%20Campaign |date=September 27, 2011 }}. PRNewswire.com. February 14, 2006. Retrieved on March 19, 2011.</ref> It provided free copies of a DVD or book about the life of Muhammad to any person who requested it. Almost 16,000 Americans requested materials.<ref name="ReferenceB"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006012822/http://www.cair.com/AboutUs/25FactsAboutCAIR.aspx |date=October 6, 2010 }}. Cair.com. Retrieved on March 19, 2011.</ref><ref name="Muslimnews">{{cite news |url=http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=10642 |title=Assimilation, tolerance mark U.S. Muslims' reaction to cartoons |last=Parry |first=Wayne |work=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322030739/http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=10642 |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |access-date=August 8, 2017 }}</ref> | |||
==Funding== | |||
In June 2006, CAIR announced a $50 million project to create a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the US. ($10 million per year for five years), in a project to be spearheaded by ], a former US Congressman.<ref>{{cite news|author=Javid Hassan|title=Media Campaign in US to Dispel Islamophobia|url=http://www.arabnews.com/?article=84122|newspaper=]|date=June 21, 2006|access-date=November 25, 2006|archive-date=September 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930202349/http://www.arabnews.com/?article=84122|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
CAIR chapters were funded by members of CAIR until August 2007,<ref>{{cite press release | |||
| title =CAIR Files Amicus Brief in Texas Muslim Charity Trial | |||
| publisher =PR Newswire Association LLC | |||
|date=2007-08-16 | |||
| url =http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-16-2007/0004646681&EDATE= | |||
| accessdate =2007-08-26 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | |||
| last =Moffitt | |||
| first =William B. | |||
| coauthors =Council on American-Islamic Relations | |||
| title =AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF OF THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE UNINDICTED CO-CONSPIRATORS’ FIRST AND FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS | |||
| work =UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. HOLY LAND FOUNDATION FOR RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT, et al., No. 3:04-CR-240 | |||
| publisher =Council on American-Islamic Relations | |||
|date=2007-08-16 | |||
| url =http://www.cair.com/pdf/sp/CAIR_amicus_brief.pdf | |||
| format =PDF | |||
| accessdate =2007-08-26 }} "…the amount of donations that they have been receiving has dwindled well below their monthly budget, …" (No longer on CAIR web site ], ])</ref><ref>{{cite web | |||
| last =Moffitt | |||
| first =William B. | |||
| coauthors =Council on American-Islamic Relations | |||
| title =AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF OF THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE UNINDICTED CO-CONSPIRATORS’ FIRST AND FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS | |||
| work =UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. HOLY LAND FOUNDATION FOR RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT, et al., No. 3:04-CR-240 | |||
| publisher =little green footballs | |||
|date=2007-08-17 | |||
| url =http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pdf/CAIR_amicus_brief.pdf | |||
| format =PDF | |||
| accessdate =2007-08-26 }} "…the amount of donations that they have been receiving has dwindled well below their monthly budget, …"</ref> mainly from the American Muslim community, but also many people of other faiths. | |||
Also in 2006, CAIR sent a group of representatives to Iraq to urge kidnappers to release American journalist ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/01/21/iraq.journalist/|title=U.S. Muslim group in Baghdad to plead for hostage|publisher=CNN|date=January 22, 2006|access-date=January 30, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202072112/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/01/21/iraq.journalist/|url-status=live}}</ref> Carroll was eventually released unharmed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5311197|title=Kidnapped American Reporter Jill Carroll Freed|publisher=NPR|date=March 30, 2006|access-date=April 5, 2018|archive-date=April 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422062334/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5311197|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 1999, the ] gave a $250,000 grant to CAIR to purchase land for a national headquarters.<ref name='SaudiEmbassy1998'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=IDB approves new projects worldwide |date=1998-08-15 | publisher=Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia | url =http://www.saudiembassy.net/1998News/News/ForDetail.asp?cIndex=1945 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-08-25 | language = }}</ref> | |||
in December 2006, California Senator ] withdrew a "certificate of accomplishment" originally given to former CAIR official ] after Boxer's staff looked into CAIR, and she became concerned about some of CAIR's past statements and actions, and statements by some law enforcement officials that it provides aid to international terrorist groups.<ref name=tro /><ref>{{cite news |first1=Michael |last1=Isikoff |first2=Mark |last2=Hosenball |title=CAIR Play |work=Newsweek |date=December 29, 2006 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/44338/page/1 |access-date=December 30, 2006 |archive-date=December 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203133220/http://www.newsweek.com/id/44338/page/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In 2002, the ] (WAMY), a Saudi government-funded organization, financed distributing books on Islam free of charge 2002 and an advertising campaign in American publications. This included a quarter page in ] each Friday, for a year, estimated to cost $1.04 million.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last =Epstein | |||
| first =Matthew | |||
| title =Saudi Support for Islamic Extremism in the United States | |||
| work =TERRORISM: TWO YEARS AFTER 9/11, CONNECTING THE DOTS | |||
| publisher =United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary | |||
| date= 2003-09-10 | |||
| url =http://judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=910&wit_id=2574 | |||
| accessdate =2007-11-04 }}</ref> | |||
In May 2007, the U.S. filed an action against the ] (the largest Muslim charity in the United States at the time<ref name="mistrial"/>) for providing funds to Hamas, and federal prosecutors filed pleadings. Along with 245 other organizations, they listed CAIR (and its chairman emeritus, ]),<ref name="NYSun">{{cite news|url=http://www.nysun.com/national/islamic-groups-named-in-hamas-funding-case/55778/|title=Islamic Groups Named in Hamas Funding Case|last=GERSTEIN|first=Josh|date=June 4, 2007|newspaper=]|access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-date=October 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018073436/http://www.nysun.com/national/islamic-groups-named-in-hamas-funding-case/55778|url-status=dead}}</ref> ] (largest Muslim umbrella organization in the United States), ] and ] as ]s, a legal designation that can be employed for a variety of reasons including grants of ], pragmatic considerations, and evidentiary concerns. While being listed as co-conspirator does not mean that CAIR has been charged with anything, the organization was concerned that the label will forever taint it.<ref name=NationalLawyers>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/us/16charity.html|title=Muslim Groups Oppose a List of 'Co-Conspirators'|last=MacFARQUHAR|first=Neil|date=August 16, 2007|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 21, 2010|archive-date=February 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207085719/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/us/16charity.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2003, Saudi Prince ] donated $500,000 to distribute the ] and other books about Islam in the United States.<ref name="NYTCAIR1"/> | |||
In 2007, the organization was named, along with 245 others, by U.S. Federal prosecutors in a list of ] in a ] funding case involving the ],<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018073436/http://www.nysun.com/national/islamic-groups-named-in-hamas-funding-case/55778 |date=October 18, 2009 }} – June 4, 2007 – ''The New York Sun'' (June 4, 2007). Retrieved on 2011-03-19.</ref> which in 2009, caused the ] to cease working with CAIR outside of criminal investigations due to its designation.<ref name="foxnews.com">]: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128044509/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/30/fbi-cuts-ties-cair-following-terror-financing-trial/ |date=November 28, 2015 }}, January 30, 2009, retrieved November 29, 2012</ref> CAIR was never charged with any crime, and it complained that the designation had tarnished its reputation.<ref>Gerstein, Josh. (October 20, 2010). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008001433/http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/1010/Judge_Feds_violated_Islamic_groups_rights.html?showall |date=October 8, 2012 }}. '']''. Retrieved on March 19, 2011.</ref> It has also been criticized for allegedly publishing propaganda{{Citation needed||date=January 2017}} | |||
In 2006, ], Deputy Ruler of ] and ] Minister of Finance and Industry, financed the building of a property in the US to serve as an endowment for the organization.<ref>http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/default.asp?ID=178 UAE Official Web site</ref> This gift is thought to generate income of approximately $3 million a year.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
On October 22, 2007, the Holy Land Foundation trial ended in a mistrial.<ref name="mistrial">{{cite news|title=Judge declares mistrial in Muslim charity case|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/world/americas/22iht-22holy.8005339.html|date=October 22, 2007|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 15, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202071240/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/world/americas/22iht-22holy.8005339.html|url-status=live}}</ref> All defendants were convicted upon retrial in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/us/25charity.html|title=Five Convicted in Terrorism Financing Trial|work=The New York Times|date=November 24, 2008|access-date=February 15, 2017|archive-date=July 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709235752/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/us/25charity.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Projects== | |||
CAIR states that it promotes a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America through media relations, lobbying, education, and public advocacy. CAIR tries to get its voice represented in the media, and to present its' spin of issues in current events. Its members often appear on news programs involving Muslims in America and it is an often-cited source for journalists who are seeking input or a quote from Muslim leaders or the Muslim community.<ref></ref> | |||
In 2008, the FBI discontinued its long-standing relationship with CAIR. Officials said the decision followed the conviction of the HLF directors for funneling millions of dollars to ], revelations that Nihal Awad had participated in planning meetings with HLF, and CAIR's failure to provide details of its ties to Hamas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kyl.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=308555|title=Inquire about Recent FBI Decision to Sever Ties with Islamic Group|last=Kyl|first=Jon|date=February 24, 2009|publisher=U.S. Senate|access-date=November 10, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103233000/http://kyl.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=308555|archive-date=November 3, 2009}}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414094915/http://worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2009/ss_saudi0098_02_03.asp |date=April 14, 2009 }}. Worldtribune.com (February 3, 2009). Retrieved on 2011-03-19.</ref> During a 2008 retrial of the HLF case, FBI Special Agent Lara Burns labeled CAIR "a ] for Hamas".<ref>Trahan, Jason (October 14, 2008). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128164602/http://www.islamdaily.org/en/charities/6843.judge-due-to-rule-on-holy-land-defense-challenge.htm |date=January 28, 2015 }}. '']''.</ref> In January 2009, the FBI's DC office instructed all field offices to cut ties with CAIR, as the ban extended into the Obama administration.<ref>Abrams, Joseph (January 30, 2009). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515200740/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/30/fbi-cut-ties-cair-following-terror-financing-trial/ |date=May 15, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
CAIR issues "Action Alerts" to its online subscribers to call attention to "hate crimes" or harsh statements against Islam and Muslims in the media.<ref>http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=archive&theType=AA</ref> Often, it will encourage a letter-writing campaign to ask politicians or editors to condemn hate speech. It also publishes positive reports of interfaith cooperation and examples of businesses that reach out to Muslims, and often asks the subscribers to write letters of gratitude to those leaders and companies.<ref></ref> | |||
] ] (R-N.C.), ] (R-Ariz.), ] (R-Ariz.), and ] (R-Ga.) wrote ] ] on October 21, 2009, that they were concerned about CAIR's relationships with terrorist groups, and requesting that the ] (DOJ) provide a summary of DOJ's evidence and findings that led DOJ to name CAIR an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism trial.<ref name="thehill.com"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207223906/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/63023-republicans-accuse-muslim-advocacy-group-of-trying-to-plant-spies |date=December 7, 2018 }}, '']'', October 14, 2009, accessed November 17, 2009</ref> The four Congressmen also wrote ] ] a letter the same day asking that he work with members of the House ], ], and ] Committees to determine if CAIR was successful in placing interns in the committees' offices, to review FBI and DOJ evidence regarding CAIR's ] ties, and to determine whether CAIR is a security threat.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Congresswoman ] (D-Calif.), "appalled", said "I urge the rest of my colleagues to join me in denouncing this ]."<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104134811/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28283.html |date=January 4, 2010 }}, '']'' October 14, 2009, accessed November 17, 2009</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://cbs4.com/national/republicans.spying.cair.2.1248819.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226230413/http://cbs4.com/national/republicans.spying.cair.2.1248819.html|url-status=dead|title=Report: Four Republicans Accuse Group Of Planting "Spies" On Capitol Hill|date=October 14, 2009|archivedate=December 26, 2009|publisher=] |accessdate=November 17, 2009}}</ref> She was echoed by ] (D-Minn.), the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress, in a speech that included a statement by the House's Tri-Caucus.<ref>'']'' – {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510020701/http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2009_record&page=H11767&position=all |date=May 10, 2024 }}, accessed November 15, 2009]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|website=Vote Smart|access-date=October 10, 2023|archive-date=September 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913075028/https://votesmart.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> The four Republican Congressmen, joined by Senator ] (R-Okla.) and Congressman ] (R-N.C.), then wrote ] ] on November 16, 2009, asking that CAIR be investigated for "excessive lobbying".<ref>Elliot, Justin (November 18, 2009). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120181641/http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/tom_coburn_joins_campaign_against_muslim_group_cai.php |date=November 20, 2009 }}. '']''. Accessed November 18, 2009]</ref> CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper welcomed the scrutiny from Republican lawmakers, and said, "We've always stayed within our legal limits . If anything, we don't have enough staff to lobby as much as we legally can."<ref name="thehill.com"/> | |||
CAIR also conducts research on the American Muslim community, releasing annual reports on civil rights and statistics on the Muslim community.<ref></ref> It also sponsors voter registration drives in communities and outreach and interfaith relations with other religious groups in America.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
CAIR condemned the ] and expressed prayers for the victims and condolences for their families.<ref name="MT 3" >{{Cite news |url=http://militarytimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_army_hood_shootings_condemned_110509w/ |title=Muslim group condemns Hood shootings |date=November 5, 2009 |work=] |access-date=November 6, 2009 |location=Washington, D.C. |archive-date=March 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325213742/http://militarytimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_army_hood_shootings_condemned_110509w |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
After 9/11 CAIR created a "library project" which sold packages of educational books and tapes about Islam (over $300 worth per library) for donation to public libraries in the United States. In 2002 ] Prince ] donated $500,000 to CAIR to support the program.<ref></ref> The Washington Times noted in 2003 that although CAIR claimed to have sent 37 packets, the city had received only one.<ref>http://washingtontimes.com/national/20031020-122538-4008r.htm</ref>{{Dead link|date=March 2008}} The libraryproject.org page was last updated in 2005 and the domain became defunct.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
CAIR pointed to an arrest of five men in Pakistan on December 10, 2009, as a "success story"{{citation needed|date=June 2011}} between Muslims and Muslim community organizations (like CAIR) and American law enforcement authorities. When the five men left ] for ] on November 28, the families of the men discovered an extremist videotape. Worried, they contacted CAIR, which set up a meeting with the FBI on December 1, and the families shared their sons' computers and electronic devices with FBI agents. A U.S. law enforcement official described them as models of cooperation. CAIR hoped the event would ease "strained" relations of American Muslims with the FBI.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan says arrested American men hoped to join militants|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-10-la-fg-pakistan-americans11-2009dec11-story.html|date=October 12, 2009|work=Los Angeles Times|first1=Sebastian|last1=Rotella|first2=Alex|last2=Rodriguez|access-date=January 21, 2010|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715023814/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/10/world/la-fg-pakistan-americans11-2009dec11|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
CAIR coordinated the release of a ] (religious pronouncement) that stated in part, “Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is ''haram'' or forbidden - and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not martyrs.”<ref></ref> | |||
In January 2012, CAIR's ] chapter took a stance along with the ] in defending four Muslim high school football players accused of attacking a quarterback during a game. The players were allegedly targeted for criminal prosecution over the attack because of their ethnic origin.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dearborn Heights football players challenge charges|url=http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Dearborn-Heights-football-players-challenge-charges/-/1719418/8493482/-/y9236kz/-/index.html|website=ClickOn Detroit|access-date=January 24, 2014|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201141442/http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Dearborn-Heights-football-players-challenge-charges/-/1719418/8493482/-/y9236kz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A judge later dropped the charges after deciding they had no merit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Criminal charges dropped against 4 Arab-American football players|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20120404/NEWS02/120404031|access-date=January 24, 2014|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202140723/http://www.freep.com/article/20120404/NEWS02/120404031|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2005, following ] at ] in the ], as well as negative stereotypes against Islam in the media, CAIR started an "Explore the Quran" campaign, intended to promote understanding of the ] by distributing complimentary copies to any interested member of the American public.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
CAIR has opposed proposed United States legislation and executive orders which would have designated the ] as a foreign terrorist organization, saying that such a designation would "inevitably be used in a political campaign to attack those same groups and individuals, to marginalize the American Muslim community and to demonize Islam".<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905234026/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/07/world/middleeast/muslim-brotherhood-terrorism-trump.html |date=September 5, 2017 }}, NY Times, Peter Baker, February 7, 2017</ref> | |||
In 2006, during the worldwide Muslim outrage over the publication of cartoons visually depicting ], CAIR responded by launching an educational program "Explore the Life of Muhammad" aimed at providing free copies of a DVD or book about the life of the ] to any person who requests it. Over 16,000 requests were received as of September 2006.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
In 2021 the director of the San Francisco branch of CAIR, Zahra Billoo, gave a speech in which she denounced a ] to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and stated that "We need to pay attention" to the ADL and Hillel, "because just because they are your friends today, doesn't mean that they have your back when it comes to human rights." Later on in her speech, Billoo told the audience to "know your enemies".<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Stutman |first=Gabe |title=California Muslim leader warns about 'polite Zionists,' drawing rebuke from ADL |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/california-muslim-leader-warns-about-polite-zionists-drawing-rebuke-from-adl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220023426/https://www.timesofisrael.com/california-muslim-leader-warns-about-polite-zionists-drawing-rebuke-from-adl/ |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |access-date=2021-12-16 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}</ref> Her remarks prompted ], CEO of the ADL, to accuse Billoo of promoting ] rhetoric. On December 11, CAIR responded by defending Billoo's remarks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shapiro|first=Dmitriy|title=CAIR Backs Leader After 'Virulently Antisemitic' Speech Attacking Mainstream Jewish Entities|date=December 15, 2021|url=https://www.jewishpress.com/news/islamists-news/cair-backs-leader-after-virulently-antisemitic-speech-attacking-mainstream-jewish-entities/2021/12/15/|access-date=2021-12-16|language=en-US|archive-date=December 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216224557/https://www.jewishpress.com/news/islamists-news/cair-backs-leader-after-virulently-antisemitic-speech-attacking-mainstream-jewish-entities/2021/12/15/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |title=CAIR supports member that said 'Zionist synagogues' behind Islamophobia |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/cair-supports-member-that-said-zionist-synagogues-behind-islamophobia-688510 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218135528/https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/cair-supports-member-that-said-zionist-synagogues-behind-islamophobia-688510 |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |access-date=2021-12-16 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
In June 2006, CAIR announced a $50 million project to influence the American media ($10 million per year for five years). According to the article, the project will be spearheaded by ], a former US Congressman. Saudi Prince ] was going to be contacted to help fund the project.<ref></ref> | |||
== |
== Projects and media == | ||
Local CAIR chapters such as the Michigan chapter organized a "Remember Through Service" campaign which was a video and billboard media campaign which featured positive representations of Muslim-Americans including a Muslim first responder during the September 11 World Trade Center events.<ref>{{cite news|title=CAIR-MI launches 'Remembering Through Service' campaign in advance on 9/11 anniversary|access-date=January 24, 2014|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/09/cair-mi_launches_remembering_t.html|newspaper=All Michigan|date=September 7, 2011|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232030/http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/09/cair-mi_launches_remembering_t.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
CAIR has criticized several recent films and television shows featuring Muslim terrorists. For instance, it lobbied against the film '']'' in a campaign lasting two years, during which time CAIR was in contact with ] and ].<ref>http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=71&theType=AA</ref> The campaign was ultimately successful and the Islamist terrorists which had featured in the ] were replaced with neo-Nazis in the film version. | |||
== Litigation == | |||
CAIR also issued a complaint on September 29, 2005, following an ad for the ]/] ] aircraft which portrayed soldiers storming a mosque.<ref>http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=54352</ref> The following day, Boeing sent a formal apology to CAIR, and Bell and the ] contacted CAIR to express their regret.<ref>{{Dead link|date=March 2008}}</ref> | |||
=== Workplace discrimination === | |||
One of the largest categories of cases CAIR deals with is workplace discrimination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/808-ga-muslim-police-officer-files-discrimination-suit.html|title=GA Muslim police officer files discrimination suit|access-date=September 7, 2017|quote=CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper...said workplace discrimination is one of the largest categories of discrimination cases CAIR deals with.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142412/https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/808-ga-muslim-police-officer-files-discrimination-suit.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> CAIR has filed successful civil rights litigation on behalf of ] who suffered employment discrimination due to their religion, including police officers<ref>{{cite web|title=You damn Talibani!|url=http://www.creativeloafing.com/news/article/13014505/you-damn-taliban|last=Wall|first=Michael|access-date=September 9, 2017|quote=Hyath repeatedly asked his supervisors to stop the harassment, but they told him to deal with it.... After Hyath quit, the state Department of Labor determined that he was entitled to his benefits, a decision the city appealed, but lost."|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909144316/http://www.creativeloafing.com/news/article/13014505/you-damn-taliban|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/808-ga-muslim-police-officer-files-discrimination-suit.html|title=GA Muslim police officer files discrimination suit|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142412/https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/808-ga-muslim-police-officer-files-discrimination-suit.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hyath vs. City of Decatur|url=https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/Georgia_Northern_District_Court/1--04-cv-01135/Hyath_v._City_of_Decatur_et_al/78/|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909143323/https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/Georgia_Northern_District_Court/1--04-cv-01135/Hyath_v._City_of_Decatur_et_al/78/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://abc7chicago.com/news/lawsuit-officer-claims-harassment-due-to-faith-culture/1817367/|title=Lawsuit: Officer claims harassment due to Muslim faith, Persian culture|date=March 24, 2017|publisher=]|access-date=September 9, 2017|quote=CAIR Chicago filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Sabet's behalf against the City of North Chicago claiming discrimination and retaliatory termination earlier this year.|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142636/http://abc7chicago.com/news/lawsuit-officer-claims-harassment-due-to-faith-culture/1817367/|url-status=live}}</ref> and hospital workers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hospital accused of discrimination|last=Wronski|first=Richard|date=December 4, 2002|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/12/04/hospital-accused-of-discrimination/|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142445/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-12-04/news/0212040249_1_hospital-staff-discrimination-hospital-cafeteria|url-status=live}}</ref> CAIR also filed an amicus brief<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cair.com/images/legal/AbercrombieAmicusBrief.pdf|title=Abercrombie Amicus Brief|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310143543/http://www.cair.com/images/legal/AbercrombieAmicusBrief.pdf|archive-date=March 10, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> on behalf of the plaintiff to the ] for '']'', in which the Court ruled 8-1 that refusing to hire a woman because she may wear her hijab at the workplace amounts to religious discrimination in hiring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/6-1-15.cfm|title=Supreme Court Rules in Favor of EEOC in Abercrombie Religious Discrimination Case|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=October 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022141032/http://www1.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/6-1-15.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Muslim Woman Denied Job Over Head Scarf Wins in Supreme Court|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/supreme-court-rules-in-samantha-elauf-abercrombie-fitch-case.html|access-date=September 9, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 2015|last1=Liptak|first1=Adam|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142028/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/supreme-court-rules-in-samantha-elauf-abercrombie-fitch-case.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/01/411213623/supreme-court-rules-for-woman-denied-abercrombie-fitch-job-over-headscarf |title=Supreme Court Rules For Woman Denied Abercrombie & Fitch Job Over Headscarf |publisher=NPR |date=June 2015 |access-date=September 9, 2017 |last1=Naylor |first1=Brian |archive-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909102730/http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/01/411213623/supreme-court-rules-for-woman-denied-abercrombie-fitch-job-over-headscarf |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== Local government === | |||
On January 26, 2006, CAIR issued a complaint following a segment on Los Angeles radio program ''The ] Show'' which allegedly mocked the deaths of Muslims in a recent ] stampede.<ref>http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=360&theType=AA</ref> CAIR had been monitoring the program for "anti-Muslim material" and had previously filed complaints over another inflammatory incident in 2004, which resulted in a formal apology issued on-air by the station (]).<ref></ref> | |||
In 2012, after the City Council in ], voted 4–1 to reject a building plan for the Abu-Huraira Islamic Center,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/june-2012-st-anthony-rejects-islamic-center-plan/158785005/|title=St. Anthony City Council rejects Islamic center plan|newspaper=Star Tribune|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142057/http://www.startribune.com/june-2012-st-anthony-rejects-islamic-center-plan/158785005/|url-status=live}}</ref> CAIR began legal proceedings and urged the federal government to investigate the city for violating the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/aug-feds-sue-st-anthony-over-rejection-of-islamic-center/272899591/|quote=After the council's 2012 vote, the Minnesota Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations asked federal authorities to investigate whether the city had violated the federal law on religious land use...Ellen Longfellow, the group's civil rights attorney, said, "We applaud this decision in support of religious freedom"|title=Feds sue city of St. Anthony over rejection of Islamic center|access-date=September 9, 2017|newspaper=Star Tribune|archive-date=July 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717231753/http://www.startribune.com/aug-feds-sue-st-anthony-over-rejection-of-islamic-center/272899591/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, the city agreed to a settlement after a federal lawsuit was opened against them, allowing the Abu-Huraira Islamic Center to begin services.<ref>{{cite news|title=After two years of discord, St. Anthony agrees to mosque|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/12/16/settlement-st-anthony-islamic-center|last=Yuen|first=Laura|date=December 16, 2014|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909144107/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/12/16/settlement-st-anthony-islamic-center|url-status=live}}</ref> CAIR also helped the American Islamic Center (AIC) file a complaint against the city of ], to the ], after the city refused to allow the AIC to operate its place of worship. After a federal suit was filed, the city agreed to pay $580,000 to the AIC in a settlement agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cairchicago.org/blog/2017/06/city-des-plaines-settles-aic-mosque-zoning-case/|title=City of Des Plaines Settles on AIC Mosque Zoning Case|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909143620/http://www.cairchicago.org/blog/2017/06/city-des-plaines-settles-aic-mosque-zoning-case/|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mosque, feds reach settlement with Des Plaines over zoning|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/des-plaines/ct-des-plaines-islamic-center-settlement-met-20170606-story.html|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|quote=In addition to the agreement with the Justice Department, the city agreed to pay the mosque $580,000.|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909143159/http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/des-plaines/ct-des-plaines-islamic-center-settlement-met-20170606-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2012, CAIR successfully filed suit striking down ], a ] in ] on grounds that it violated the ] right to ]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/oklahomas-ban-on-sharia-law-struck-down-by-federal-appeals-court/|last=Khan|first=Huma|title=Oklahoma's Ban on Sharia Law Struck Down by Federal Appeals Court|publisher=]|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909185540/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/oklahomas-ban-on-sharia-law-struck-down-by-federal-appeals-court/|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsok.com/article/3872460|title=U.S. judge permanently bans Oklahoma Islamic law vote|last=Talley|first=Tim|date=August 15, 2013|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804040116/http://newsok.com/article/3872460|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Criticism== | |||
{{main|Criticism of the Council on American-Islamic Relations}} | |||
In 2017, CAIR secured an $85,000 settlement for Kirsty Powell, whose hijab was forcibly removed by police while in custody.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ca.cair.com/losangeles/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Complaint-for-POWELL.pdf|title=Complaint-for-POWELL.pdf|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813212201/https://ca.cair.com/losangeles/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Complaint-for-POWELL.pdf|archive-date=August 13, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40905758|title=California Muslim forced to remove hijab awarded $85k settlement|publisher=BBC News|date=August 11, 2017|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909173447/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40905758|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Muslim woman wins $85,000 lawsuit after police forcibly remove her hijab|publisher=]|date=August 11, 2017|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/11/us/california-hijab-lawsuit-long-beach-trnd/index.html|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908004519/http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/11/us/california-hijab-lawsuit-long-beach-trnd/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Critics have accused CAIR of having ties to terrorist organizations, and of "pursuing an extreme Islamist political agenda".<ref name="NYTCAIR1"/><ref> | |||
*{{cite web | |||
| last =Pipes | |||
| first =Daniel | |||
| authorlink =Daniel Pipes | |||
| title =CAIR Backs Down from Anti-CAIR | |||
| work =danielpipes.org | |||
| date= 2006-04-21 | |||
| url =http://www.danielpipes.org/article/3511 | |||
| accessdate =2007-10-04 }} | |||
* | |||
*</ref> It has been asserted that four former CAIR officials have been charged with terrorism-related offenses. However, this assertion is disputed by CAIR, which notes that only one of the individuals mentioned was ever employed by CAIR, and his arrest was on a weapons charge, not a terrorism charge, and took place after the period of his employment by CAIR.<ref name=ul/> | |||
=== Federal government === | |||
Critics of CAIR say that at least five figures with ties to the group or its leadership have either been convicted or deported for links to what the United States government calls terrorist groups.<ref name="NYTCAIR1">{{cite news|publisher=]|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/washington/14cair.html?ei=5088&en=f218b5bb420d4661&ex=1331524800&pagewanted=print|title=" Scrutiny Increases for a Group Advocating for Muslims in U.S."|author=]|date=03-14-2007}}</ref> | |||
CAIR has been involved in legal action against the ] on several occasions. In 2003, CAIR along with the ] filed suit in ''Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor v. Ashcroft'', which challenged the constitutionality of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/aclu/mcaa2ash73003cmp.pdf|title=Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor v. Ashcroft|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928233349/http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/aclu/mcaa2ash73003cmp.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leagle.com/decision/20061051459fsupp2d59211001|title=Muslim Community Ass'n of Ann Arbor v. Ashcroft|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142417/https://www.leagle.com/decision/20061051459fsupp2d59211001|url-status=live}}</ref> The case forced Congress to make substantial changes to Section 215 of the act, which helped it avoid being in violation of the ] and had the effect of resolving the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Patriot Act: Issues and Controversies|last1=Smith|first1=Stacy|last2=Hung|first2=Li-Ching|year=2010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7hPnSyAOeWQC&q=Muslim+Community+Association+of+Ann+Arbor+v.+Ashcroft&pg=PA185|page=186|publisher=Charles C Thomas Publisher|isbn=978-0398085636|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510030900/https://books.google.com/books?id=7hPnSyAOeWQC&q=Muslim+Community+Association+of+Ann+Arbor+v.+Ashcroft&pg=PA185#v=snippet&q=Muslim%20Community%20Association%20of%20Ann%20Arbor%20v.%20Ashcroft&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> CAIR also filed amicus briefs against ] ] over ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3673918/152.pdf|title=152.pdf|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=May 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518055023/https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3673918/152.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and ],<ref>{{cite web|title=17-16426-Hawaii-v-Trump---Brief-of-Amici-Adam-Soltani-et-al.pdf|url=https://www.cair.com/images/pdf/17-16426-Hawaii-v-Trump---Brief-of-Amici-Adam-Soltani-et-al.pdf|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142657/https://www.cair.com/images/pdf/17-16426-Hawaii-v-Trump---Brief-of-Amici-Adam-Soltani-et-al.pdf|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14515-breaking-cair-files-amicus-brief-in-the-ninth-circuit-on-behalf-of-four-american-muslims-impacted-by-muslim-ban-3-0.html|title=BREAKING: CAIR Files Amicus Brief in the Ninth Circuit on Behalf of Four American Muslims Impacted by Muslim Ban 3.0|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909143007/https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14515-breaking-cair-files-amicus-brief-in-the-ninth-circuit-on-behalf-of-four-american-muslims-impacted-by-muslim-ban-3-0.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> which banned all travellers and temporary visa holders of 7 Muslim-majority countries, as well as all refugees, from entering the United States. CAIR began maintaining a group of immigration lawyers in Chicago O'Hare airport after Executive Order 13769 went into effect<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/opponents-trumps-travel-ban-continue-mount-airport-defense-immigrants-232551164.html|title=Opponents of Trump's travel ban continue to mount airport defense of immigrants|date=June 6, 2017|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204181013/https://www.yahoo.com/news/opponents-trumps-travel-ban-continue-mount-airport-defense-immigrants-232551164.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and caused the immediate revocation of over 100,000 temporary visas.<ref>{{cite news|title=Over 100,000 visas revoked, government lawyer says in Virginia court|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/03/politics/over-100000-visas-revoked-government-lawyer-says-in-virginia-court/index.html|date=February 3, 2017|publisher=CNN|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203231953/http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/03/politics/over-100000-visas-revoked-government-lawyer-says-in-virginia-court/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
CAIR litigated on behalf of ], a 19-year-old ] teenager who was kidnapped and tortured in ] after the ] placed him on a ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/01/21/virginia.teen.kuwait/index.html|title=Teen detained in Kuwait back in U.S.|publisher=]|quote=But Abbas says in the lawsuit that the United States impeded his client's basic right to return and live freely in the country. Abbas is a staff attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142035/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/01/21/virginia.teen.kuwait/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=No-fly list discriminates against Muslim travelers|url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/opinion/2014/06/05/no-fly-list-discriminates-against-muslim-travelers|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142721/http://www.dailytexanonline.com/opinion/2014/06/05/no-fly-list-discriminates-against-muslim-travelers|url-status=dead}}</ref> CAIR argued successfully that the teen's placement on the US no-fly list was "patently unconstitutional" and that Mohamed had a constitutional right to come home.<ref>{{cite news|title=the teen's placement on the U.S. "no-fly" list is "patently unconstitutional"|publisher=AOL News|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/19/lawyers-press-for-return-of-gulet-mohamed-us-teen-on-no-fly-l/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122094208/http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/19/lawyers-press-for-return-of-gulet-mohamed-us-teen-on-no-fly-l/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2011|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> | |||
Critics claim CAIR’s credibility as a community relations agency promoting “justice and mutual understanding” is tainted because it is a spin-off of the ], which is a ] for ] and associated with Egypt's ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adl.org/Israel/cair.asp |title=Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) |accessdate=2008-02-16 |format= |date=January 28, 2008 |work= |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
=== ''Muslim Mafia'' lawsuit === | |||
The United States states that CAIR was founded with funding from the alleged "] group" ].<ref name="Emerson2005">United States Senate Committee of Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Accessed October 16, 2006.</ref> The Holy Land Foundation was later closed as a money-laundering scheme for terrorist support, but in 2007 the case ended in a ]. The United States Department of State identifies Hamas as a "Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization".<ref></ref>. CAIR disputes allegations that it was started with "seed money" from the Holy Land Foundation <ref name=ul/> | |||
The 2009 book '']'' by Paul David Gaubatz and ] portrays CAIR "as a subversive organization allied with international terrorists".<ref name=co>, '']'', November 10, 2009, accessed November 17, 2009 {{Dead link|date=September 2017}}</ref><ref name="mcclatchydc200911"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510021240/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article24563338.html |date=May 10, 2024 }}, McClatchy Newspapers, Michael Doyle, November 9, 2009</ref> | |||
In 2007 U.S. federal prosecutors named CAIR as one of several hundred Muslim "unindicted co-conspirator" organizations in a plot to fund the designated terrorist organization Hamas, through the Holy Land charity.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nysun.com/article/55778 | publisher=] | title = Islamic Groups Named in Hamas Funding Case |first=Josh | last = Gerstein | date=2007-06-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071121/NATION/111210046/1002/NATION | title= CAIR seeks removal of label in terrorism case | publisher = Washington Times | work = Washington Times | author = Bill Gertz | date=2007-11-21}}</ref> | |||
Consequently, CAIR brought a federal civil lawsuit in 2009 against Dave Gaubatz and his son for allegedly stealing documents, which were used in the making of Gaubatz's book.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2009cv2030-10|title=Memorandum Opinion|date=November 3, 2009|publisher=United States District Court for the District of Columbia|access-date=December 1, 2009|archive-date=May 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527231308/https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2009cv2030-10|url-status=live}}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113082123/http://www.kansascity.com/444/story/1559014.html |date=November 13, 2009 }}, '']'', November 9, 2009, accessed November 15, 2009</ref><ref>Abbott, Ryan (November 2, 2009). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716031927/http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/11/02/Muslims_Say_Author_Spied_%26_Trespassed.htm |date=July 16, 2011 }}. ''Courthouse News''. Accessed November 17, 2009]</ref><ref>Levine, Mike (November 11, 2009). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134209/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/11/fbi-ties-cair-remain-strained-obama-administration/ |date=September 24, 2015 }}. Fox News. Retrieved November 15, 2009.</ref> ] ] concluded that the Gaubatzs "unlawfully obtained access to, and have already caused repeated ] of, material containing CAIR's proprietary, confidential and ]," which CAIR says included names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of CAIR employees and donors. As a result, the judge ordered Gaubatz to remove certain documents from his website. Judge Kollar-Kotelly also said that CAIR's employees have reported a dramatic increase in the number of threatening communications since the release of Gaubatz's book.<ref name="mcclatchydc200911"/> | |||
CAIR Chairman Emeritus (Omaer Ahmad) was paraphrased in an article to the effect that Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant, that the Koran should be the highest authority in America, and that Islam should be the only accepted religion on Earth.<ref>http://www.anti-cair-net.org/AhmadStateScanned.pdf</ref> | |||
== Operations == | |||
Critics have also taken aim at CAIR's fundraising and sources of funds. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, CAIR's website solicited donations for what it called the "NY/DC Emergency Relief Fund."<ref name=CAIRnet2001></ref> However, clicking on the donation link led to the web site for ] (HLF).<ref name=CAIRnet2001 /><ref name=TNR>{{cite web | |||
CAIR's literature describes the group as promoting understanding of Islam and protecting Muslim civil liberties. It has intervened on behalf of many American Muslims who claim discrimination, profiling, or harassment.<ref name='CAIR-25FACTS'>{{cite web |url=http://www.cair.com/factsaboutcair.asp |title=25 Facts about CAIR: Did you know? |access-date=August 25, 2007 |publisher=Council on American-Islamic Relations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826144932/http://www.cair.com/factsaboutcair.asp |archive-date=August 26, 2007 }}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917211856/https://books.google.com/books?id=jXl2Z2PI3xMC&dq=%22cair%22+relations&pg=PA156 |date=September 17, 2023 }}. Zahid Hussain Bukhari, Rowman Altamira, 2004, {{ISBN|0-7591-0613-4}}, 9780759106130</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qdRx7qLF8KIC|title=Muslims in the West: From Sojourners to Citizens|first=Yvonne Yazbeck|last=Haddad|date=April 11, 2002|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780198033752|via=Google Books}}</ref> | |||
| last =Emerson | |||
| first =Steven | |||
| authorlink =Steven Emerson | |||
| title =One Muslim advocacy group's not-so-secret terrorist ties | |||
| work =The New Republic Online | |||
| publisher =The New Republic | |||
|date=2007-03-28 | |||
| url =http://www.steveemerson.com/article15.htm | |||
| accessdate =2007-04-08 }}</ref> Later that year, HLF was later designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union and U.S. because of alleged connections to ], and shut down by executive order. The 2007 trial of the the Holy Land Foundation was declared a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury<ref></ref>. | |||
== Controversies == | |||
] accuses CAIR of doctoring photographs and reporting fraudulent statistics about the Muslim population of the United States in support of its own private agenda. He also alleges that CAIR attempts to suppress criticism of Islamic terrorism and intolerance through accusations of racism and anti-Muslim bias, and of deliberate deception in its claims to be a civil rights group<ref>Daniel Pipes, </ref> | |||
=== Gender bias === | |||
A Florida CAIR chapter has been accused of ignoring misconduct involving its leaders.<ref>{{cite news|last=Company|first=Tampa Publishing|title=Tampa Muslim civil rights leader accused of abuse, harassment|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2021/04/16/tampa-muslim-civil-rights-leader-accused-of-abuse-harassment/|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602222540/https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2021/04/16/tampa-muslim-civil-rights-leader-accused-of-abuse-harassment/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] reported: "When concerned parties brought allegations to senior CAIR officials in Washington, D.C., and Florida, former employees said, there was little, if any, follow-up action. They said leaders were aware of some of the allegations as early as 2016."<ref name=":1" /> NPR "interviewed 18 former employees at the national office and several prominent chapters who said there was a general lack of accountability when it came to perceived gender bias, religious bias or mismanagement".<ref name=":1">{{cite news|last1=Fadel|first1=Leila|date=15 April 2021|title=Muslim Civil Rights Leader Accused Of Harassment, Misconduct|language=en|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/04/15/984572867/muslim-civil-rights-leader-accused-of-harassment-misconduct|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519080127/https://www.npr.org/2021/04/15/984572867/muslim-civil-rights-leader-accused-of-harassment-misconduct|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Labor organizing === | |||
] publicly condemned CAIR as being "the PR machine of militant Islam" after CAIR "dispatched its henchmen" to try to shut down the first ].<ref></ref> | |||
NPR's investigation reported that CAIR "thwart employees' efforts to unionize in the national office in 2016".<ref name=":1" /> "Service Employees International Union Local 500 said in filings Wednesday that the Council on American-Islamic Relations was trying to bust its effort to organize the civil rights group's staff. CAIR responded with a statement Thursday calling the charge 'meritless'."<ref>{{cite news|date=2017-04-20|title=Labor group charges union busting by CAIR|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/labor-group-charges-union-busting-by-cair|access-date=2021-05-28|website=The Washington Examiner|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112042452/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/labor-group-charges-union-busting-by-cair|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Designation as terrorist organization by UAE=== | |||
Among the numerous books donated to libraries in CAIR's "library project" was former congressman ]'s 'Silent No More', which includes positive statements about convicted terrorist ].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:8lriLsVwYv4J:washingtontimes.com/national/20031020-122538-4008r.htm+libraries+revisit+islam&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us | publisher=News World Communications, Inc. | work=] | title=Libraries revisit Islam | author=Julia Duin |date=2003-10-20}}</ref> In 2002 ] Prince ] donated $500,000 to CAIR to support the program. The ] noted in 2003 that although CAIR claimed to have sent 37 packets, the city had received only one.<ref>http://washingtontimes.com/national/20031020-122538-4008r.htm</ref>{{Dead link|date=November 2007}} The libraryproject.org page was last updated in 2005 and the domain became defunct.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
In November 2014, CAIR was designated a terrorist organization by the ],<ref name="wam.ae">{{cite news|url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395272478814|title=UAE Cabinet approves list of designated terrorist organisations, groups|date=November 15, 2014|newspaper=]|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612165042/http://wam.ae/en/details/1395272478814|url-status=live}}</ref> which claimed that the organization has ties ].<ref name="Wapo20141107"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804150441/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/11/17/why-the-u-a-e-is-calling-2-american-groups-terrorists/ |date=August 4, 2018 }} November 17, 2014</ref><ref name="GulfNews20141116">Samir Salama (November 16, 2014). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910125723/http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/government/uae-addresses-root-causes-of-terror-1.1413289 |date=September 10, 2017 }}. ''Gulf News''.</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Perry Chiaramonte |title=US group CAIR named terrorist organization by United Arab Emirates |url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/17/us-group-cair-added-to-terror-list-by-united-arab-emirates/?intcmp=latestnews |publisher=Fox News |date=November 17, 2014 |access-date=January 24, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924173511/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/17/us-group-cair-added-to-terror-list-by-united-arab-emirates/?intcmp=latestnews |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280972910|title=Securing a Dynamic and Open Economy: The UAE's Quest for Stability|first1=Rashed|last1=Lekhraibani|first2=Emilie|last2=Rutledge|first3=Ingo|last3=Forstenlechner|date=June 1, 2015|journal=Middle East Policy|volume=22|issue=2|pages=108–124|via=ResearchGate|doi=10.1111/mepo.12132|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510021127/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280972910_Securing_a_Dynamic_and_Open_Economy_The_UAE's_Quest_for_Stability|url-status=live}}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911115223/http://www.agsiw.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/UAE-Security_ONLINE.pdf |date=September 11, 2017 }}. Ibish Hussein, 2017, pages 40-41</ref> UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ] rejected criticism of the designation, saying that "The noise (by) some Western organizations over the UAE's terrorism list originates in groups that are linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and many of them work on incitement and creating an environment of extremism."<ref name="Reuters20141120"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915023451/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-politics-brotherhood/uae-official-says-groups-may-appeal-against-inclusion-on-terror-list-idUSKCN0J41O420141120 |date=September 15, 2017 }}, Reuters, November 20, 2014</ref> | |||
CAIR called the move "shocking and bizarre", and some international American terrorism analysts were also critical. ''The Washington Post'' wrote: "CAIR and the Muslim American Society are not alone in their shock. Diverse groups across Europe were also added to the list, leaving many observers perplexed at the scope and sheer scale of the list. Norway's foreign ministry publicly requested an explanation as to why one of the country's largest Islamic groups, the ], was included, and the U.S. State Department said they would be seeking more information from the U.A.E."<ref name="Wapo20141107"/> In January 2015, CAIR said it would seek to appeal the designation in the UAE.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911114701/https://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/two-groups-on-uae-terror-list-set-to-appeal-1.122198 |date=September 11, 2017 }}, The National, Lindsay Carroll, January 14, 2015</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911174612/http://washington.cbslocal.com/2015/01/16/us-muslim-rights-group-cair-seeks-removal-from-uae-terror-list/ |date=September 11, 2017 }}, CBS DC (Associated Press wire), January 16, 2015</ref> CAIR has criticized UAE for targeting and detaining American Muslims, such as the civil rights attorney and human rights activist Asim Ghafoor, the former attorney of the ]'','' the ''Washington Post'' journalist ] in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Why the UAE is Obsessed with Targeting American Muslim Activists Like Asim Ghafoor |url=https://www.cair.com/op_eds/why-the-uae-is-obsessed-with-targeting-american-muslim-activists-like-asim-ghafoor/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209234714/https://www.cair.com/op_eds/why-the-uae-is-obsessed-with-targeting-american-muslim-activists-like-asim-ghafoor/ |archive-date=December 9, 2024 |access-date=2024-12-09 |language=en-US}}</ref> Ghafoor helped establish the organization ], which has focused part of its work on human rights violations in the UAE. CAIR has claimed that "The real reason the UAE targeted Ghafoor became even clearer when Emirati media outlets began publishing unhinged, Islamophobic hit-pieces slandering him as a “terrorist” for his pro-democracy work with DAWN and other groups."<ref name=":5" /> It also argued that, "the UAE’s history targeting American Muslims as part of its effort to spread secular authoritarianism throughout the Middle East."<ref name=":5" /> | |||
In an interview with ] of ], UAE Foreign Minister ] was asked about the designation of CAIR as a terrorist group, in which he responded: | |||
Criticism of CAIR is confronted by the organization itself. It claims that "even a cursory examination of the statements and agendas of our detractors will show that they represent the extremes in our society."<ref name=ul></ref>. It also claims a meeting with the FBI where, according to CAIR, an agent allegedly said "false claims originate from one or two biased sources ". These sources, according to CAIR, are primarily organizations such as Jihadwatch. According to CAIR, one senior FBI official said that CAIR will just have to live with what CAIR calls "urban legends."<ref name=ul/> | |||
{{blockquote|Our threshold is quite low when we talk about extremism. We cannot accept incitement or funding when we look at some of these organisations. For many countries, the definition of terror is that you have to carry a weapon and terrorise people. For us, it's much beyond that; we cannot tolerate even the smallest, tiniest amount of terrorism.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20141123/ARTICLE/311239955/1010|title=We know region better than West: Shaikh Abdullah|work=Khaleej Times|date=24 November 2014|access-date=April 8, 2019|archive-date=April 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408023747/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20141123/ARTICLE/311239955/1010|url-status=live}}</ref>}} | |||
CAIR is currently involved in litigation with talk radio personality Michael Savage. Clips from Savage's radio talk show were posted on CAIR's website on a page that criticized the content of Savage's program.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=777&&ArticleID=23608&&name=n& | author=CAIR | title=National Radio Host Goes on Anti-Muslim Tirade |date=November 1, 2007}}</ref> Legal observers have expressed skepticism about Savage's suit, one calling it a "breathtaking misunderstanding of copyright law."<ref>{{cite news | url= | |||
http://www.citmedialaw.org/blog/2007/savage-v-council-american-islamic-relations-breathtaking-misunderstanding-copyright-law | |||
| author=Sam Bayard | title=Savage v. Council on American-Islamic Relations: A Breathtaking Misunderstanding of Copyright Law |date=December 5, 2007}}</ref> | |||
The United States government has not listed CAIR as a terrorist organization.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/11/17/why-the-u-a-e-is-calling-2-american-groups-terrorists/|title=Why the U.A.E. is calling 2 American groups terrorists|last=Taylor|first=Adam|date=November 17, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 25, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804150441/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/11/17/why-the-u-a-e-is-calling-2-american-groups-terrorists/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
<!-- The following paragraph is unsupported by any evidence: At times, CAIR has been accused of portraying events that are not hate crimes, as such. For instance, CAIR portrayed a fire later found out to be simple insurance fraud as anti-muslim arson. {{Dead link|date=March 2008}}{{Dead link|date=March 2008}}--> | |||
== |
===LGBT rights=== | ||
In 2016, in the wake of the ], CAIR representatives met with LGBT leaders to condemn the attack, gather in solidarity, and voice their support for LGBT rights.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muslim, LGBT community members gather to demand equal rights for all |url=https://abc7chicago.com/cair-lgbt-council-on-american-islamic-relations/1394094/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en}}</ref> CAIR Sacramento director Basim Elkarra also released a statement offering “support and allyship to the LGBTQ community, which has been a faithful ally against Islamophobia.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIR: Sacramento Muslims, LGBTQ and Interfaith Leaders to Respond to #Orlando Night Club Shooting |url=https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-sacramento-muslims-lgbtq-and-interfaith-leaders-to-respond-to%E2%80%AA-%E2%80%8Eorlando-night-club-shooting/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> CAIR director Nihad Awad also voiced his support, saying that American “Muslims stand united” with the LGBT community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIR: Muslims Stand United with LGBT Community |url=https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2016/06/12/85805328/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
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In Michigan, CAIR voiced concerns over an amendment to the ], advocating that the amendment's LGBT rights provisions include faith protections.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-mi-concerned-by-senate-vote-failing-to-include-religious-protections-in-civil-rights-law/ |title=CAIR-MI Concerned by Senate Vote Failing to Include Religious Protections in Civil Rights Law |publisher=Council of American-Islamic Relations |accessdate=2023-06-17 |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307020159/https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-mi-concerned-by-senate-vote-failing-to-include-religious-protections-in-civil-rights-law/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/02/26/christian-and-muslim-groups-oppose-lgbtq-rights-bill-call-for-changes/69915513007/ |title=Christian and Muslim groups want faith protections added to LGBTQ rights bill |newspaper=] |accessdate=2023-06-17 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617220830/https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/02/26/christian-and-muslim-groups-oppose-lgbtq-rights-bill-call-for-changes/69915513007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist|2}} | |||
CAIR and several other Muslim organizations have opposed mandatory “sexually-themed lessons” in ]. These lessons include LGBT-inclusive content. CAIR issued a statement saying parents should be notified in advance so their children can opt-out of “sexually-themed content.” CAIR released a statement saying that “Schools should respect their authority by restoring the option to opt their children out of reading sexually-themed content or participating in sexually-themed lessons and discussions, without any adverse consequences.''”''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cair.com/press_releases/hundreds-of-maryland-parents-urge-mcps-to-restore-of-opt-out-option-parental-notice-for-sexually-themed-material/ |title=Hundreds of Maryland Parents Urge MCPS to Restore of Opt-Out Option, Parental Notice for Sexually-Themed Material |publisher=Council on American-Islamic Relations |accessdate=2023-06-17 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406173849/https://www.cair.com/press_releases/hundreds-of-maryland-parents-urge-mcps-to-restore-of-opt-out-option-parental-notice-for-sexually-themed-material/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/04/11/montgomery-county-schools-lgbtq-book-opt-out/ |title=Some Montgomery parents want to opt out of new books featuring LGBTQ characters |newspaper=] |accessdate=2023-06-17 |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524004229/https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/04/11/montgomery-county-schools-lgbtq-book-opt-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==External links== | |||
* | |||
** | |||
* | |||
== Reception == | |||
*McCormick, Evan. , ''sullivan-county.com'', ], ] | |||
=== Praise === | |||
*Hassan, Javid. , '']'', ], ] | |||
U.S. Senator ]'s 2006 decision to withdraw a "certificate of accomplishment" originally given to former CAIR official Basim Elkarra on grounds of suspicions about the organization's background "provoked an outcry from organizations that vouch for the group's advocacy, including the ACLU and the California Council of Churches."<ref name=scr/> ], executive director of the ACLU of Northern California, criticized Senator Boxer's decision and added that CAIR has "been a leading organization that has advocated for civil rights and civil liberties in the face of fear and intolerance, in the face of religious and ]."<ref name=scr/> | |||
]-winning journalist ] advocated for people to support and sign up as members of CAIR in response to the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/opinion/a-12-step-program-for-responding-to-president-elect-trump.html?mcubz=1|title=A 12-Step Program for Responding to President-Elect Trump|last=Kristof|first=Nicholas|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 17, 2016|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903034926/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/opinion/a-12-step-program-for-responding-to-president-elect-trump.html?mcubz=1|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2016, the ] named the Minnesota branch of CAIR as the winner of its Winds of Change Award at its Forum on Workplace Inclusion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stthomas.edu/news/forum-workplace-inclusion-announces-2016-diversity-award-winners/|title=Forum on Workplace Inclusion Announces 2016 Diversity Award Winners|date=March 3, 2016|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510021220/https://news.stthomas.edu/forum-workplace-inclusion-announces-2016-diversity-award-winners/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The ] chapter of the ] awarded the Washington branch of CAIR one of its 2015 Champion of Voting and Civil Rights Awards, praising "their work encouraging voting and community involvement by members of the Muslim American community".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iexaminer.org/2015/04/announcement-league-of-women-voters-of-seattle-honors-senator-pramila-jayapal/|title=Announcement: League of Women Voters of Seattle honors Senator Pramila Jayapal|date=April 9, 2015|work=International Examiner|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903032943/http://www.iexaminer.org/2015/04/announcement-league-of-women-voters-of-seattle-honors-senator-pramila-jayapal/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Criticism === | === Criticism === | ||
December 2023, the Biden administration cut off contact with CAIR after its executive director stated he was "happy to see" Palestinians break ] on October 7.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nehamas |first1=Nicholas |last2=Epstein |first2=Reid J. |date=May 10, 2024 |title=Inside Biden's Broken Relationship With Muslim and Arab American Leaders |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/10/us/politics/biden-muslim-arab-americans-gaza.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511001414/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/10/us/politics/biden-muslim-arab-americans-gaza.html |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |access-date=May 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |quote=There are limits to the people and groups that Mr. Biden’s White House will engage with about the Gaza conflict. The administration disavowed and cut off communication with the Council on American-Islamic Relations in December after its executive director said that he “was happy to see” Palestinians break out of Gaza on Oct. 7.}}</ref> Awad also stated that Palestinians "have the right to self-defense" but that Israel "as an occupying power" does not.<ref name="NYT Dec 8 2023">{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |date=December 8, 2023 |title=White House Disavows U.S. Islamic Group After Leader's Oct. 7 Remarks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/us/politics/white-house-cair-nihad-awad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509190936/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/us/politics/white-house-cair-nihad-awad.html |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |access-date=May 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> According to a CAIR press release, during his speech, Awad had also stated that, "The hatred, the prejudice, the violence, the discrimination against Jews because of their faith or their life or their religious practices is a hateful mindset, behavior and action. We as human beings, as Muslims, as Palestinians, see it as evil the way it is, and should be condemned because ] is a real phenomenon, a real evil, and it has to be rejected and combated by all people regardless of their faith tradition, ideology, or those people who have no ideology. It is an attack on humanity and should be clearly condemned by all people."<ref name=":4" /> | |||
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In response to the criticism from the Biden administration, Awad released a statement and held a press conference in which reiterate his opposition to and condemnation of all attacks on civilians, including the ], claiming that this original remarks were taken out of context. He stated that, “Ukrainians, Palestinians and other occupied people have the right to defend themselves and escape occupation by just and legal means, but targeting civilians is never an acceptable means of doing so, which is why I have again and again condemned the violence against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7th and past Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians, including suicide bombings, all the way back to the 1990s—just as I have condemned the decades of violence against Palestinian civilians. “The average Palestinians who briefly walked out of Gaza and set foot on their ethnically cleansed land in a symbolic act of defiance against the blockade and stopped there without engaging in violence were within their rights under international law; the extremists who went on to attack civilians in southern Israel were not. Targeting civilians is unacceptable, no matter whether they are Israeli or Palestinian or any other nationality.”<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Statement By Nihad Awad on Remarks at Palestine Human Rights Conference |url=https://www.cair.com/press_releases/statement-by-nihad-awad-on-remarks-at-palestine-human-rights-conference/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209234603/https://www.cair.com/press_releases/statement-by-nihad-awad-on-remarks-at-palestine-human-rights-conference/ |archive-date=December 9, 2024 |access-date=2024-11-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad pushes back on criticism for October 7 comment |url=https://abc7chicago.com/cair-director-nihan-awad-israel-hamas/14155569/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
Critics of CAIR have accused it of pursuing an ] agenda.<ref name="scr" /><ref name="auto">{{cite news |last=Sethi |first=Arjun Singh |date=February 8, 2017 |title=Calling the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group would hurt all American Muslims |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/02/08/calling-the-muslim-brotherhood-a-terrorist-group-would-hurt-all-american-muslims/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328070152/https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/02/08/calling-the-muslim-brotherhood-a-terrorist-group-would-hurt-all-american-muslims/ |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |access-date=March 10, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> CAIR denies these allegations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kessler |first=Glenn |date=March 10, 2011 |title=The King hearings: Is CAIR a 'terrorist organization'? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/the-king-hearings-is-cair-a-terrorist-organization/2011/03/10/AB3AdTQ_blog.html |access-date= |newspaper=The Washington Post |quote=}}</ref> ], a physician and ] politician in Arizona, has criticized CAIR and argued that its agenda is focused on "]".<ref>{{cite journal|title=Exposing the 'Flying Imams'|journal=Middle East Quarterly|date=Winter 2008|pages=3–11|url=http://www.meforum.org/1809/exposing-the-flying-imams|author=M. Z. Jasser|access-date=January 30, 2017|archive-date=March 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318001234/http://www.meforum.org/1809/exposing-the-flying-imams|url-status=live}}</ref> Best-selling author and prominent critic of ],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nawaz|first1=Maajid|last2=Harris|first2=Sam|title=We Need to Talk About Islam's Jihadism Problem|newspaper=The Daily Beast|date=September 15, 2015|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/we-need-to-talk-about-islams-jihadism-problem|access-date=June 17, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807191810/https://www.thedailybeast.com/we-need-to-talk-about-islams-jihadism-problem|url-status=live}}</ref> ], criticized CAIR by saying the organization is "an Islamist public relations firm posing as a civil-rights lobby".<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922140739/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/losing-our-spines-to-save_b_100132/ |date=September 22, 2020 }}. ''The Huffington Post''. Retrieved on March 19, 2011.</ref> | |||
Some Muslims have criticized CAIR for taking a ] approach on some issues. These critics claim that past statements by the organization, such as the claim that the headscarf is a religious requirement for Muslim women, often follow conservative Saudi religious doctrine and do not capture diverse religious perspectives.<ref name="scr"/> The claim that the headscarf is religious obligation upon Muslim women has been criticized by many Muslim scholars and academics, including ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-10 |title=5 Muslim Scholars On The Permissibility Of Not Wearing The Headscarf |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/5-muslim-scholars-on-the-permissibility-of-not-wearing-the-heads_b_610874fde4b0497e67026d7c |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-02 |title=FATWA: On Hijab (The Hair-covering of Women) UPDATED |url=https://www.searchforbeauty.org/2016/01/02/fatwa-on-hijab-the-hair-covering-of-women/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Khaled Abou El Fadl on The Search For Beauty in Islam |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-15 |title=FATWA: Question on the evidence of hijab from a brother |url=https://www.searchforbeauty.org/2017/05/15/question-on-the-evidence-of-hijab-from-a-brother/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Khaled Abou El Fadl on The Search For Beauty in Islam |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
== Funding == | |||
CAIR has an annual budget of around $3 million (as of 2007).<ref name=scr/> It states that while the majority of its funding comes from American Muslims, it accepts donations from individuals of any faith and also foreigners.<ref name="TopInternet">{{cite web |title=Top Internet Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories About CAIR |url=http://ca.cair.com/losangeles/campaign/top_internet_misinformation_and_conspiracy_theories_about_cair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202174929/http://ca.cair.com/losangeles/campaign/top_internet_misinformation_and_conspiracy_theories_about_cair |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |publisher=CAIR California}}</ref> In the past CAIR has accepted donations from individuals and foundations close to ] governments.<ref name="scr">{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/washington/14cair.html |url-access=subscription |last=MacFarquhar|first=Neil|date= March 14, 2007 |title= Scrutiny Increases for a Group Advocating for Muslims in U.S. |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160520033604/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/washington/14cair.html |archive-date= May 20, 2016 }}</ref> Within CAIR there is debate regarding foreign funding, and several CAIR branches have criticized the national office for accepting foreign donations.<ref name="scr" /> | |||
In April 2011, Rep. ], R-Va. cited a 2009 letter sent from CAIR's executive director, Nihad Awad, to ] asking Gaddafi for funding for a project called the Muslim Peace Foundation at a ] Appropriations sub-committee hearing.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nation.foxnews.com/cair/2011/04/07/cair-caught-gaddafi-web|title=CAIR Caught in Gaddafi $ Web|date=July 4, 2011|publisher=Fox News|access-date=April 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410120352/http://nation.foxnews.com/cair/2011/04/07/cair-caught-gaddafi-web|archive-date=April 10, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ] called the funding request "hypocritical",<ref name="Lawmaker_Fox">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/04/06/lawmaker-criticizes-controversial-muslim-group-200-fundraising-letter-qaddafi/|title=Lawmaker Criticizes Muslim Group Director's 2009 Fundraising Letter to Qaddafi|first=Ben|last=Evansky|publisher=]|date=April 6, 2011|access-date=April 7, 2011|archive-date=April 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408140846/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/04/06/lawmaker-criticizes-controversial-muslim-group-200-fundraising-letter-qaddafi/|url-status=live}}</ref> while CAIR spokesman, Ibrahim Hooper, said that the Muslim Peace Foundation was Awad's personal initiative "unrelated to CAIR", that CAIR didn't receive any money from the Libyan government, and also that CAIR was one of the first American organizations to call for a no-fly zone to protect Libyan citizens from Gaddafi during the ].<ref name="Lawmaker_Fox"/> | |||
== See also == | |||
{{Portal|Islam|United States}} | |||
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* ] | |||
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== References == | |||
{{Reflist|30em}} | |||
== External links == | |||
* {{Official website}} | |||
* {{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|770646756}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 23:08, 26 December 2024
American Muslim advocacy groupFormation | June 1994; 30 years ago (1994-06) |
---|---|
Founder | Omar Ahmad |
Type | 501(c)3 organization |
Tax ID no. | 77-0646756 |
Purpose | Muslim activism |
Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
Location |
|
Region served | United States |
Executive Director | Nihad Awad |
Key people | Roula Allouch (Chairperson) Ibrahim Mossallam (Board VP) Ibrahim Hooper (National Communications Director) |
Staff | 70+ |
Volunteers | 300+ |
Website | www |
The Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group. It is headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., with regional offices nationwide. Through civil rights actions, media relations, civic engagement, and education, CAIR works to promote social, legal and political activism among Muslims in America.
History
Early years (1994–2001)
CAIR was founded in June 1994. CAIR's first office was located in Washington, D.C., as is its present-day headquarters on Capitol Hill. Its founding was partly in response to the film True Lies, which Arab and Muslim groups condemned for its stereotyping of Arab and Muslim villains. The offices opened a month before the film's release. CAIR's first advocacy campaign was in response to an offensive greeting card that used the term "shia" to refer to human excrement. CAIR led a national campaign and used activists to pressure the greeting card company, which eventually withdrew the card from the market.
In 1995, CAIR handled its first case of hijab discrimination, in which a Muslim employee was denied the right to wear the hijab; this type of complaint became one of the most common received by CAIR's civil rights department.
CAIR continued its advocacy work in the aftermath of the April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. Following the attack, Muslim-Americans were subjected to an upsurge in harassment and discrimination, including a rise in hate crimes nationally; 222 hate crimes against Muslims nationwide were reported in the days immediately following the bombing. The bombing gave CAIR national stature for their efforts to educate the public about Islam and religious bias in America; their report was featured on the front page of The New York Times on August 28, 1995, and was subsequently mentioned on ABC World News Tonight.
In 1996, CAIR began "CAIR-NET", a read-only e-mail listserve aimed to help American Muslims identify and combat anti-Muslim prejudice in the U.S. and Canada. CAIR-NET contained descriptions of news, bias incidents or hate speech and hate crimes, often followed by information as to whom readers may contact to influence resolution of an issue. CAIR also held its first voter registration drive in 1996; CAIR continues to encourage active political participation by American Muslims, for them to address political candidates and elected representatives with greater frequency.
In 1996, CAIR published a report The Usual Suspects regarding its perception of anti-Muslim rhetoric in the media after the crash of TWA Flight 800. Their research showed 138 uses of the terms "Muslim" and "Arab" in the 48 hours after the crash in Reuters, UPI, and AP articles covering the incident. The official NTSB report said that the crash was most likely caused by mechanical failure.
In 1997, CAIR objected to the production of sneakers made by Nike with a design on the heel similar to the Arabic word for "Allah". As part of an agreement reached between CAIR officials and Nike representatives, Nike apologized to the Muslim community, recalled the products carrying the design, launched an investigation as to how the logo came about, and built a number of children's playgrounds near some Islamic centers in America.
In 1997, as depictions of Muhammad are seen as blasphemous by some Muslims, CAIR wrote to United States Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist requesting that the sculpted representation of Muhammad on the north frieze inside the Supreme Court building be removed or sanded down. About the request, CAIR spokesman Nihad Awad said, "We believe the court had good intention by honoring the prophet, so we appreciate that. We want to be flexible, and we're willing to pay for the changes ourselves." The court rejected CAIR's request in the end.
Post-9/11 (2001–present)
CAIR strongly condemned the 9/11 terrorist attacks and has a long history of condemning and combating extremism. In October 2001, CAIR opposed the United States invasion of Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks. By January 2002, four months after the attacks, the CAIR said that it had received 1,658 reports of discrimination, profiling, harassment, and physical assaults against persons appearing Arab or Muslim, a threefold increase over the prior year. The reports included beatings, death threats, abusive police practices, and employment and airline-related discrimination."
A CAIR initiative funded in part by a $500,000 donation from Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud sent a set of 18 books and tapes to public libraries written by Muslim and non-Muslim authors on Islamic history and practices, as well as an English translation of the Quran.
In 2005, CAIR coordinated the joint release of a fatwa by 344 American Muslim organizations, mosques, and imams nationwide that stated: "Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram or forbidden—and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not martyrs." The fatwa cited passages from the Quran and hadith that prohibit violence against innocent people and injustice, and was signed by the Fiqh Council of North America. Authors Kim Ezra Shienbaum and Jamal Hasan felt it did not go far enough in that it did not address attacks on military targets.
Also in 2005, following the Qur'an desecration controversy of 2005 at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, CAIR initiated an "Explore the Quran" campaign, aimed at providing free copies of the Quran to any person who requested it.
In 2006, during the protests over cartoons depicting Muhammad, CAIR responded by launching an educational program "Explore the Life of Muhammad", to bring "people of all faiths together to learn more about the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and to use mutual understanding as a counterweight to the tensions created by the cartoon controversy". It provided free copies of a DVD or book about the life of Muhammad to any person who requested it. Almost 16,000 Americans requested materials.
In June 2006, CAIR announced a $50 million project to create a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the US. ($10 million per year for five years), in a project to be spearheaded by Paul Findley, a former US Congressman.
Also in 2006, CAIR sent a group of representatives to Iraq to urge kidnappers to release American journalist Jill Carroll. Carroll was eventually released unharmed.
in December 2006, California Senator Barbara Boxer withdrew a "certificate of accomplishment" originally given to former CAIR official Basim Elkarra after Boxer's staff looked into CAIR, and she became concerned about some of CAIR's past statements and actions, and statements by some law enforcement officials that it provides aid to international terrorist groups.
In May 2007, the U.S. filed an action against the Holy Land Foundation (the largest Muslim charity in the United States at the time) for providing funds to Hamas, and federal prosecutors filed pleadings. Along with 245 other organizations, they listed CAIR (and its chairman emeritus, Omar Ahmad), Islamic Society of North America (largest Muslim umbrella organization in the United States), Muslim American Society and North American Islamic Trust as unindicted co-conspirators, a legal designation that can be employed for a variety of reasons including grants of immunity, pragmatic considerations, and evidentiary concerns. While being listed as co-conspirator does not mean that CAIR has been charged with anything, the organization was concerned that the label will forever taint it.
In 2007, the organization was named, along with 245 others, by U.S. Federal prosecutors in a list of unindicted co-conspirators or joint venturers in a Hamas funding case involving the Holy Land Foundation, which in 2009, caused the FBI to cease working with CAIR outside of criminal investigations due to its designation. CAIR was never charged with any crime, and it complained that the designation had tarnished its reputation. It has also been criticized for allegedly publishing propaganda
On October 22, 2007, the Holy Land Foundation trial ended in a mistrial. All defendants were convicted upon retrial in 2008.
In 2008, the FBI discontinued its long-standing relationship with CAIR. Officials said the decision followed the conviction of the HLF directors for funneling millions of dollars to Hamas, revelations that Nihal Awad had participated in planning meetings with HLF, and CAIR's failure to provide details of its ties to Hamas. During a 2008 retrial of the HLF case, FBI Special Agent Lara Burns labeled CAIR "a front group for Hamas". In January 2009, the FBI's DC office instructed all field offices to cut ties with CAIR, as the ban extended into the Obama administration.
U.S. Congressmen Sue Myrick (R-N.C.), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), and Paul Broun (R-Ga.) wrote Attorney General Eric Holder on October 21, 2009, that they were concerned about CAIR's relationships with terrorist groups, and requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide a summary of DOJ's evidence and findings that led DOJ to name CAIR an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism trial. The four Congressmen also wrote House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms Wilson Livingood a letter the same day asking that he work with members of the House Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Intelligence Committees to determine if CAIR was successful in placing interns in the committees' offices, to review FBI and DOJ evidence regarding CAIR's Hamas ties, and to determine whether CAIR is a security threat. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), "appalled", said "I urge the rest of my colleagues to join me in denouncing this witch hunt." She was echoed by Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress, in a speech that included a statement by the House's Tri-Caucus. The four Republican Congressmen, joined by Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), then wrote IRS Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman on November 16, 2009, asking that CAIR be investigated for "excessive lobbying". CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper welcomed the scrutiny from Republican lawmakers, and said, "We've always stayed within our legal limits . If anything, we don't have enough staff to lobby as much as we legally can."
CAIR condemned the Fort Hood shooting and expressed prayers for the victims and condolences for their families.
CAIR pointed to an arrest of five men in Pakistan on December 10, 2009, as a "success story" between Muslims and Muslim community organizations (like CAIR) and American law enforcement authorities. When the five men left Washington for Karachi on November 28, the families of the men discovered an extremist videotape. Worried, they contacted CAIR, which set up a meeting with the FBI on December 1, and the families shared their sons' computers and electronic devices with FBI agents. A U.S. law enforcement official described them as models of cooperation. CAIR hoped the event would ease "strained" relations of American Muslims with the FBI.
In January 2012, CAIR's Michigan chapter took a stance along with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in defending four Muslim high school football players accused of attacking a quarterback during a game. The players were allegedly targeted for criminal prosecution over the attack because of their ethnic origin. A judge later dropped the charges after deciding they had no merit.
CAIR has opposed proposed United States legislation and executive orders which would have designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, saying that such a designation would "inevitably be used in a political campaign to attack those same groups and individuals, to marginalize the American Muslim community and to demonize Islam".
In 2021 the director of the San Francisco branch of CAIR, Zahra Billoo, gave a speech in which she denounced a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and stated that "We need to pay attention" to the ADL and Hillel, "because just because they are your friends today, doesn't mean that they have your back when it comes to human rights." Later on in her speech, Billoo told the audience to "know your enemies". Her remarks prompted Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL, to accuse Billoo of promoting white supremacist rhetoric. On December 11, CAIR responded by defending Billoo's remarks.
Projects and media
Local CAIR chapters such as the Michigan chapter organized a "Remember Through Service" campaign which was a video and billboard media campaign which featured positive representations of Muslim-Americans including a Muslim first responder during the September 11 World Trade Center events.
Litigation
Workplace discrimination
One of the largest categories of cases CAIR deals with is workplace discrimination. CAIR has filed successful civil rights litigation on behalf of Muslim Americans who suffered employment discrimination due to their religion, including police officers and hospital workers. CAIR also filed an amicus brief on behalf of the plaintiff to the Supreme Court of the United States for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, in which the Court ruled 8-1 that refusing to hire a woman because she may wear her hijab at the workplace amounts to religious discrimination in hiring.
Local government
In 2012, after the City Council in St. Anthony, Minnesota, voted 4–1 to reject a building plan for the Abu-Huraira Islamic Center, CAIR began legal proceedings and urged the federal government to investigate the city for violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. In 2014, the city agreed to a settlement after a federal lawsuit was opened against them, allowing the Abu-Huraira Islamic Center to begin services. CAIR also helped the American Islamic Center (AIC) file a complaint against the city of Des Plaines, Illinois, to the US Department of Justice, after the city refused to allow the AIC to operate its place of worship. After a federal suit was filed, the city agreed to pay $580,000 to the AIC in a settlement agreement.
In 2012, CAIR successfully filed suit striking down State Question 755, a ban on Sharia law in Oklahoma on grounds that it violated the First Amendment right to free exercise of religion
In 2017, CAIR secured an $85,000 settlement for Kirsty Powell, whose hijab was forcibly removed by police while in custody.
Federal government
CAIR has been involved in legal action against the US Government on several occasions. In 2003, CAIR along with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee filed suit in Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor v. Ashcroft, which challenged the constitutionality of the USA PATRIOT Act. The case forced Congress to make substantial changes to Section 215 of the act, which helped it avoid being in violation of the First Amendment and had the effect of resolving the lawsuit. CAIR also filed amicus briefs against US President Donald Trump over Executive Order 13769 and Executive Order 13780, which banned all travellers and temporary visa holders of 7 Muslim-majority countries, as well as all refugees, from entering the United States. CAIR began maintaining a group of immigration lawyers in Chicago O'Hare airport after Executive Order 13769 went into effect and caused the immediate revocation of over 100,000 temporary visas.
CAIR litigated on behalf of Gulet Mohamed, a 19-year-old Virginia teenager who was kidnapped and tortured in Kuwait after the FBI placed him on a no-fly list. CAIR argued successfully that the teen's placement on the US no-fly list was "patently unconstitutional" and that Mohamed had a constitutional right to come home.
Muslim Mafia lawsuit
The 2009 book Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That's Conspiring to Islamize America by Paul David Gaubatz and Paul Sperry portrays CAIR "as a subversive organization allied with international terrorists".
Consequently, CAIR brought a federal civil lawsuit in 2009 against Dave Gaubatz and his son for allegedly stealing documents, which were used in the making of Gaubatz's book. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly concluded that the Gaubatzs "unlawfully obtained access to, and have already caused repeated public disclosure of, material containing CAIR's proprietary, confidential and privileged information," which CAIR says included names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of CAIR employees and donors. As a result, the judge ordered Gaubatz to remove certain documents from his website. Judge Kollar-Kotelly also said that CAIR's employees have reported a dramatic increase in the number of threatening communications since the release of Gaubatz's book.
Operations
CAIR's literature describes the group as promoting understanding of Islam and protecting Muslim civil liberties. It has intervened on behalf of many American Muslims who claim discrimination, profiling, or harassment.
Controversies
Gender bias
A Florida CAIR chapter has been accused of ignoring misconduct involving its leaders. NPR reported: "When concerned parties brought allegations to senior CAIR officials in Washington, D.C., and Florida, former employees said, there was little, if any, follow-up action. They said leaders were aware of some of the allegations as early as 2016." NPR "interviewed 18 former employees at the national office and several prominent chapters who said there was a general lack of accountability when it came to perceived gender bias, religious bias or mismanagement".
Labor organizing
NPR's investigation reported that CAIR "thwart employees' efforts to unionize in the national office in 2016". "Service Employees International Union Local 500 said in filings Wednesday that the Council on American-Islamic Relations was trying to bust its effort to organize the civil rights group's staff. CAIR responded with a statement Thursday calling the charge 'meritless'."
Designation as terrorist organization by UAE
In November 2014, CAIR was designated a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates, which claimed that the organization has ties Muslim Brotherhood. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash rejected criticism of the designation, saying that "The noise (by) some Western organizations over the UAE's terrorism list originates in groups that are linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and many of them work on incitement and creating an environment of extremism."
CAIR called the move "shocking and bizarre", and some international American terrorism analysts were also critical. The Washington Post wrote: "CAIR and the Muslim American Society are not alone in their shock. Diverse groups across Europe were also added to the list, leaving many observers perplexed at the scope and sheer scale of the list. Norway's foreign ministry publicly requested an explanation as to why one of the country's largest Islamic groups, the Islamic Organization, was included, and the U.S. State Department said they would be seeking more information from the U.A.E." In January 2015, CAIR said it would seek to appeal the designation in the UAE. CAIR has criticized UAE for targeting and detaining American Muslims, such as the civil rights attorney and human rights activist Asim Ghafoor, the former attorney of the Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post journalist assassination by agents of the Saudi government in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Ghafoor helped establish the organization Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), which has focused part of its work on human rights violations in the UAE. CAIR has claimed that "The real reason the UAE targeted Ghafoor became even clearer when Emirati media outlets began publishing unhinged, Islamophobic hit-pieces slandering him as a “terrorist” for his pro-democracy work with DAWN and other groups." It also argued that, "the UAE’s history targeting American Muslims as part of its effort to spread secular authoritarianism throughout the Middle East."
In an interview with Bret Baier of Fox News, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan was asked about the designation of CAIR as a terrorist group, in which he responded:
Our threshold is quite low when we talk about extremism. We cannot accept incitement or funding when we look at some of these organisations. For many countries, the definition of terror is that you have to carry a weapon and terrorise people. For us, it's much beyond that; we cannot tolerate even the smallest, tiniest amount of terrorism.
The United States government has not listed CAIR as a terrorist organization.
LGBT rights
In 2016, in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting, CAIR representatives met with LGBT leaders to condemn the attack, gather in solidarity, and voice their support for LGBT rights. CAIR Sacramento director Basim Elkarra also released a statement offering “support and allyship to the LGBTQ community, which has been a faithful ally against Islamophobia.” CAIR director Nihad Awad also voiced his support, saying that American “Muslims stand united” with the LGBT community.
In Michigan, CAIR voiced concerns over an amendment to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, advocating that the amendment's LGBT rights provisions include faith protections.
CAIR and several other Muslim organizations have opposed mandatory “sexually-themed lessons” in Montgomery County, Maryland. These lessons include LGBT-inclusive content. CAIR issued a statement saying parents should be notified in advance so their children can opt-out of “sexually-themed content.” CAIR released a statement saying that “Schools should respect their authority by restoring the option to opt their children out of reading sexually-themed content or participating in sexually-themed lessons and discussions, without any adverse consequences.”
Reception
Praise
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer's 2006 decision to withdraw a "certificate of accomplishment" originally given to former CAIR official Basim Elkarra on grounds of suspicions about the organization's background "provoked an outcry from organizations that vouch for the group's advocacy, including the ACLU and the California Council of Churches." Maya Harris, executive director of the ACLU of Northern California, criticized Senator Boxer's decision and added that CAIR has "been a leading organization that has advocated for civil rights and civil liberties in the face of fear and intolerance, in the face of religious and ethnic profiling."
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof advocated for people to support and sign up as members of CAIR in response to the 2016 election of US President Donald Trump.
In 2016, the University of Saint Thomas named the Minnesota branch of CAIR as the winner of its Winds of Change Award at its Forum on Workplace Inclusion.
The Seattle chapter of the League of Women Voters awarded the Washington branch of CAIR one of its 2015 Champion of Voting and Civil Rights Awards, praising "their work encouraging voting and community involvement by members of the Muslim American community".
Criticism
December 2023, the Biden administration cut off contact with CAIR after its executive director stated he was "happy to see" Palestinians break Israel's siege on the Gaza Strip on October 7. Awad also stated that Palestinians "have the right to self-defense" but that Israel "as an occupying power" does not. According to a CAIR press release, during his speech, Awad had also stated that, "The hatred, the prejudice, the violence, the discrimination against Jews because of their faith or their life or their religious practices is a hateful mindset, behavior and action. We as human beings, as Muslims, as Palestinians, see it as evil the way it is, and should be condemned because antisemitism is a real phenomenon, a real evil, and it has to be rejected and combated by all people regardless of their faith tradition, ideology, or those people who have no ideology. It is an attack on humanity and should be clearly condemned by all people."
In response to the criticism from the Biden administration, Awad released a statement and held a press conference in which reiterate his opposition to and condemnation of all attacks on civilians, including the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, claiming that this original remarks were taken out of context. He stated that, “Ukrainians, Palestinians and other occupied people have the right to defend themselves and escape occupation by just and legal means, but targeting civilians is never an acceptable means of doing so, which is why I have again and again condemned the violence against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7th and past Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians, including suicide bombings, all the way back to the 1990s—just as I have condemned the decades of violence against Palestinian civilians. “The average Palestinians who briefly walked out of Gaza and set foot on their ethnically cleansed land in a symbolic act of defiance against the blockade and stopped there without engaging in violence were within their rights under international law; the extremists who went on to attack civilians in southern Israel were not. Targeting civilians is unacceptable, no matter whether they are Israeli or Palestinian or any other nationality.”
Critics of CAIR have accused it of pursuing an Islamist agenda. CAIR denies these allegations. Zuhdi Jasser, a physician and Republican politician in Arizona, has criticized CAIR and argued that its agenda is focused on "victimization". Best-selling author and prominent critic of Islam, Sam Harris, criticized CAIR by saying the organization is "an Islamist public relations firm posing as a civil-rights lobby".
Some Muslims have criticized CAIR for taking a conservative religious approach on some issues. These critics claim that past statements by the organization, such as the claim that the headscarf is a religious requirement for Muslim women, often follow conservative Saudi religious doctrine and do not capture diverse religious perspectives. The claim that the headscarf is religious obligation upon Muslim women has been criticized by many Muslim scholars and academics, including Khaled Abou El Fadl.
Funding
CAIR has an annual budget of around $3 million (as of 2007). It states that while the majority of its funding comes from American Muslims, it accepts donations from individuals of any faith and also foreigners. In the past CAIR has accepted donations from individuals and foundations close to Arab governments. Within CAIR there is debate regarding foreign funding, and several CAIR branches have criticized the national office for accepting foreign donations.
In April 2011, Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va. cited a 2009 letter sent from CAIR's executive director, Nihad Awad, to Muammar Gaddafi asking Gaddafi for funding for a project called the Muslim Peace Foundation at a U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations sub-committee hearing. Steven Emerson called the funding request "hypocritical", while CAIR spokesman, Ibrahim Hooper, said that the Muslim Peace Foundation was Awad's personal initiative "unrelated to CAIR", that CAIR didn't receive any money from the Libyan government, and also that CAIR was one of the first American organizations to call for a no-fly zone to protect Libyan citizens from Gaddafi during the 2011 Libyan Civil War.
See also
- American Muslim Council
- Arab American Institute
- Muslim Public Affairs Council
- National Council of Canadian Muslims
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External links
- Official website
- "Council on American–Islamic Relations Internal Revenue Service filings". ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
- Islamic organizations based in the United States
- Political advocacy groups in the United States
- Civic and political organizations of the United States
- Islamic political organizations
- Organizations established in 1994
- Organizations designated as terrorist by the United Arab Emirates
- Opposition to Islamophobia
- Islamic organizations established in 1994
- Islam-related controversies in North America
- Advocacy groups
- Civil liberties advocacy groups in the United States