Criticism of the Council on American-Islamic Relations

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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has received public recognition and endorsement by prominent public figures, including President George W. Bush and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Immediately after the September 11, 2001 attacks, President Bush included CAIR^[1] in several public functions. In 2005, Florida Governor Jeb Bush sent a letter of commendation to CAIR, praising it for its "protection of civil rights and freedom of religion" on the occasion of its national banquet. ^[2]

However, critics like Daniel Pipes claim that high-ranking members of CAIR have taken stances which contradict its self-portrayal as a moderate organization dedicated to civil rights for Muslims. Other have criticized CAIR for allegedly getting funds from sources with ties to terrorism. CAIR denies these cleaims.^[3]

Contents 1 Accusations of ties to terrorism 2 CAIR's disputes with critics 3 References 4 External links 4.1 Rebuttals

[edit] Accusations of ties to terrorism

According to Daniel Pipes and Sharon Chadha, Senator Charles Schumer and Dick Durbin accused CAIR of having ties to terrorism, and expressed concern that the organizations "extreme rhetoric" is consistent with the allegations it has associations with terrorist groups.^[4]

Barbara Boxer withdrew a "certificate of accomplishment" originally given to to Basim Elkarra after learning that Elkarra served as a CAIR official. A Newsweek web exclusive reported that "[a]fter directing her staff to look into CAIR, Boxer expressed concern about some past statements and actions by the group, as well as assertions by some law enforcement officials that it 'gives aid to international terrorist groups'".^[5] The New York Times reported that "Ms. Boxer's decision to revoke the Sacramento commendation provoked an outcry from organizations that vouch for the group's advocacy, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the California Council of Churches. 'They have 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,' said Maya Harris, the executive director of the ACLU of Northern California.^[6]

Andrew C. McCarthy accused CAIR of having a "sordid record" of seeking to "undermine national security - and the FBI specifically - at every turn." He writes in the National Review that "several CAIR officials have been convicted or deported for terrorism-related activities and for other criminal offenses."^[7]

Despite such accusations, the New York Times reported that "Government officials in Washington said they were not aware of any criminal investigation of the group. More than one described the standards used by critics to link CAIR to terrorism as akin to McCarthyism, essentially guilt by association. 'Of all the groups, there is probably more suspicion about CAIR, but when you ask people for cold hard facts, you get blank stares,' said Michael Rolince, a retired F.B.I. official who directed counterterrorism in the Washington field office from 2002 to 2005." The article noted that "a debate rages behind the scenes in Washington about the group, commonly known as CAIR, its financing and its motives. A small band of critics have made a determined but unsuccessful effort to link it to Hamas and Hezbollah, which have been designated as terrorist organizations by the State Department, and have gone so far as calling the group an American front for the two." While critics cite five figures with "ties" to CAIR who have been "convicted or deported for links to terrorist groups," the article notes that "There were no charges linked to CAIR in any of the cases involved, and law enforcement officials said that in the current climate, any hint of suspicious behavior would have resulted in a racketeering charge."^[8] Federal officials claim CAIR's Washington charter has repeatedly issued controversial statements that have made it difficult "for senior government officials to associate with the group, particularly since some pro-Israeli lobbyists have created what one official called a 'cottage industry' of attacking the group and anyone dealing with it." In September of 2006, CAIR hosted a dinner for President Mohamed Khatami of Iran at a time "when much of official Washington had ostracized that Islamic republic." CAIR was also criticized for accepting funding from individuals and foundations that have ties to Arab governments, and has received $500,000 from Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia.^[6]

CAIR and its supporters say that its critics "are a small band of people who hate Muslims and deal in half-truths." CAIR officials believe these accusations are "rooted" in its refusal to endorse America's "blanket" condemnation of Hezbollah and Hamas, though it reportedly condemned Hamas for targeting civilians.^{[6] [9]}

[edit] CAIR's disputes with critics

CAIR has been involved in disputes with Steven Emerson and Michael Graham^[10] and Bill Handel.^[11]

Daniel Pipes claims that CAIR co-founder Omar Ahmad reportedly told a crowd of Californian Muslims in July 1998: "Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran ... should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth."^[12] Ahmad responded that he had been misquoted, and he requested a retraction from the paper. He further clarified CAIR's views: "I wish to express my commitment to and belief in political and religious pluralism. Since the founding of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in 1994, we have worked tirelessly to preserve the freedoms guaranteed to us by the Constitution."^[13]

Investigative journalist Steven Emerson and conservative blogger Michelle Malkin have criticized CAIR for attacking public speakers and celebrities who have criticized Islam.^[14][15]

In 2004, CAIR initiated a lawsuit against Andrew Whitehead, a prominent critic of CAIR and the editor of the Anti-CAIR website. CAIR is suing Whitehead for libel and asking for $1.35 million in damages.^[16] Whitehead counter-sued.^{[citation needed]} In April 2006, CAIR's lawsuit was dismissed by the courts.^{[citation needed]}

While CAIR has been active in condemning instances of speech that it claims are unjustly critical of Islam, it has received criticism for being unwilling to condemn terrorist organizations.^[17] In regard to its refusal to condemn Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper has said that "it's not our job to go around denouncing" and "we're not in the business of condemning" ^[18]. The organization's Director of Legal Affairs, Arsalan T. Iftikhar, observed that "In fact, CAIR has consistently condemned acts of terror by those who carry out acts of violence in the name of Islam. We condemned the September 11 terror attacks within hours on that terrible day. We also have condemned suicide bombings, church bombings in Pakistan, the killing of U.S. medical personnel in Yemen, bombings in Istanbul and Madrid, and other attacks on civilians, regardless of whether they were perpetrated by individuals, groups or states."^[19]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• CAIR's Pro-Hamas Origins
• CAIR funding ties to terrorist groups
• The Suspect Ties of CAIR Officials, Fundraisers, and Trainers

[edit] Rebuttals

• "Top Internet Disinformation About CAIR", published by CAIR