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Council on American–Islamic Relations

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Islamrevealed (talk | contribs) at 15:44, 16 October 2009 (edited to remove any POV - added verifiable footnotes on the factual nature of the 2007 HLF case and the release of a new book about CAIR). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For other uses, see Cair.
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Formation1994
TypeCivil rights law
Non-profit
NGO
HeadquartersWashington, DC
Director
Nihad Awad
Key people
Larry Shaw, Chairman
Websitehttp://www.cair.com/Home.aspx

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a non-governmental organization whose professed goals are to enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower Islam in the United States. CAIR is America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, working with civil rights organizations and religious groups of all faiths. Founded in 1994, it is headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., with regional offices nationwide and in Canada. [1]

Through media relations, lobbying, education and advocacy, CAIR puts forth an Islamic perspective on issues of importance to the American public and seeks to empower the American Muslim community and encourage their social and political activism. Supporters of CAIR's mission and functioning consider it to be an important entity in defending the rights of Muslims in the United States. Maya Harris, executive of the A.C.L.U in California, has described CAIR as "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,”. [2]

In May 2007, the United States filed an action against the Holy Land Foundation for funding HAMAS terrorist activities, and federal prosecutors filed pleadings naming CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator [3], along with the Islamic Society of North America and the North American Islamic Trust.

CAIR is also the central subject of a recently published book titled "Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That’s Conspiring to Islamize America", which was released on October 15, 2009 and written by P. David Gaubatz, a former federal agent and U.S. State Department-trained Arabic linguist and counterterrorism specialist, and Paul Sperry, a media fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution[4].

Overview

CAIR was founded in 1994 by Nihad Awad, Omar Ahmad, and Rafeeq Jaber. CAIR’s literature describes the group as a "leading advocate for justice and understanding", a mission which includes promoting the understanding of Islam,and protecting Muslim civil liberties. Their stated core principles include supporting freedom of religion, protecting the civil rights of everyone, and encouraging inter-faith dialogue. CAIR believes that "the active practice of Islam strengthens the social and religious fabric of our nation."[5] The group has intervened on behalf of many American Muslims who claim discrimination, profiling or harassment.[6]

CAIR’s National office is located three blocks south of the US Capitol building in Washington DC. CAIR has affiliates in 19 states. Many affiliates manage multiple offices. CAIR has more than thirty-three active chapters in America and Canada. CAIR and its affiliates are managed by board members from 50 different cities across America. CAIR and its affiliates combine to employ more than 70 full-time staff serving millions of American Muslims. [7] CAIR financial statements are audited by professional accountants and are certified as having passed with distinction. CAIR Annual Reports are made available to all members and donors.[1] Beginning in 2006 CAIR Annual Reports have been made available online. [8]

History

CAIR's mission statement says that it works to promotes a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America through media relations, lobbying, education, and public advocacy. [9] CAIR tries to get its voice represented in the media, and to present its views 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.[9]

Early Years

In its founding year (1994) CAIR investigated, sought resolutions and more balanced discourse in incidents of anti-Muslim insults and stereotypes in films [10], documentaries, greeting cards[11], and commercials. CAIR has continued to correct and more accurately inform depictions of Muslims nationwide.[12][13]

In 1995, CAIR received its first case of hijab discrimination, where a Muslim employee was denied the right to wear hijab; this type of discrimination complaint is now one of the most common received by CAIR's civil rights department.

The aftermath of the terrorist attack on the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995 escalated the need for CAIR in advocating for the Muslim community. In spite of President Bill Clinton's and Attorney General Janet Reno's warnings against prejudging Arab Americans, the initial judgment took a toll on Muslim Americans who were initially assumed to be behind the incident. [14][15] Two hundred twenty two hate crimes against Muslims nationwide were reported in the days immediately following the bombing.[16][17]

In 1996, CAIR began “CAIR-NET”, a read-only e-mail list-serve that served as a digest of topics of interest to American Muslims. It was a part of increasing initiatives from CAIR aimed to help Muslims to identify and combat anti-Muslim prejudice in the U.S. and Canada. Descriptions of incidents or news are listed by CAIR-NET and are often followed by specific information as to where readers may write or be in contact with an appropriate party to influence positive resolution of an issue. [18] 1996 also marked the year CAIR held its first voter registration drive. It remains a part of CAIR’s efforts to gain active political participation by American Muslims and for American Muslims to address political candidates and elected representatives with greater frequency. [19]

Post 9/11

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 escalated the need for CAIR’s advocacy work again. By January 2002, just four months after the attacks of September 11, the Council on American-Islamic Relations had already received 1,658 reports of discrimination, profiling, harassment, and physical assaults against persons appearing Arab or Muslim, a three-fold increase over the prior year. The reports included beatings, death threats, abusive police practices, and employment and airline-related discrimination." [20] In its civil-rights report for 2002, CAIR concluded that "the status of Muslim civil rights has deteriorated sharply" and complained that "the sweeping actions of the government have disturbed the lives of individuals and ethnic and religious communities.” [21]

In 2001 CAIR coordinated with other Muslim organizations to release a statement condemning the terrorist attacks of September 11[22] and has repeatedly condemned terrorism and the killing of innocent civilians [23] the featuring of a 68 page document compiling numerous condemnations xxiii. CAIR has conducted investigations, issued reports, held press conferences, filed lawsuits, and organized political action to protest many of the worst abuses of the “war on terrorism”. It then also began a library campaign to donate packages of educational books and tapes about Islam to public libraries (over $300 worth per library) within the United States.

CAIR has served as a voice for American Muslims. CAIR officials are regularly interviewed by national, local and international media. In the past five years CAIR officials have been cited over 11,000 times in major local, national, and international media countless such as CNN, MSNBC, BBC, ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, Washington Post, USA Today, and the New York Times Factiva. CAIR’s work is now the subject of several positive documentaries around the world. Editorials written by CAIR officials are syndicated and published nationwide. Over 100 such articles with a combined readership of over 25 million people have been published in major newspapers in the last 5 years. [7]

Partners

CAIR regularly meets with law enforcement officials at the national, state and local levels. [24] CAIR officials have met or regularly meet with current and former US Presidents, members of their respective administrations, members of congress, governors, mayors, members of state legislatures, county commissioners and others. Several CAIR affiliates have received proclamations and citations from mayors and county commissioners. < http://www.cair.com/AboutUs/WhatTheySayAboutCAIR.aspx > The organization itself has received praise from congressmen and women to top military officials like Gen. Wesley Clark, who “applaud[ed] its efforts to ensure that all Americans…are treated equally and given the same constitutional rights.” [25]

CAIR has conducted diversity/sensitivity training on Islam and Muslims for the FBI, US Armed Forces, several local and state law enforcement agencies, and many US corporations. [26] CAIR works in close cooperation with other civic and civil liberties groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, NAACP, Hispanic Unity, Organization of Chinese Americans, Japanese American Citizens League, Sikh Mediawatch, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, and Resource Task Force, among many others.[6] CAIR has also successfully formed a partnership with the National Council of Churches and held discussions with representatives of the National Association of Evangelicals.[5] In 2003, the Ohio chapter of the ACLU gave its annual Liberty Flame Award to the Ohio chapter of CAIR "for contributions to the advancement and protection of civil liberties."[27]


Projects

CAIR conducts research on the American Muslim community, releasing annual reports on public opinion and demographic statistics on the Muslim community[28], as well as annual Civil Rights reports concerning issues like hate crimes, discrimination and profiling.[29] It also sponsors voter registration drives and outreach and interfaith relations with other religious groups in America. [9]

In 2004 CAIR launched a "Not In the Name of Islam" petition in order to "disassociate the faith of Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims." It encouraged Islamic organizations, mosques, and individuals to sign it. The petition repudiated terrorism and any group that committed such acts, citing a portion of the Quran that told believers to stand for justice even if it was against friends or family. [30] The petition was posted on CAIR's homepage and garned over 691,591 signatures before being taken down in a sitewide renovation in 2007. [31]

In 2005 CAIR coordinated the release of a fatwa 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.”[32]

In 2005, following worldwide outrage over desecration of the Quran at Camp Delta in the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, as well as negative stereotypes against Islam in the media, CAIR initiated an "Explore the Quran" campaign, aimed at providing free copies of the Quran to any person who requested it. Nearly 34,000 Americans requested a copy. In 2009 this program had morphed into the "Share the Quran" campaign prompted by President Barack Obama’s address to Muslims in which he quoted from the Quran. [31] CAIR collected feedback from those who requested a copy:

  • 92% agreed that educational programs like CAIR’s “Explore the Quran” project are beneficial in preventing misunderstanding and conflict.
  • 56% said that they found the contents of the Quran to have many similarities with their own beliefs.
  • 77% agreed that their knowledge about Islam increased after reading all or part of the Quran.
  • 69% tell us that they shared the information they learned from reading the Quran with family, friends, or co-workers.[33]

In 2006, during the worldwide Muslim outrage over the publication of cartoons desecrating the Muslim Prophet Muhammad, CAIR responded by launching an educational program "Explore the Life of Muhammad" aimed at bringing people of all faiths together to learn more about the Prophet Muhammad and to use mutual understanding as a counterweight to the tensions created by the cartoon controversy. [34] [35] The campaign was a response to the worldwide outrage over the publication of derogatory cartoons about Prophet Muhammad. It provided free copies of a DVD or book about the life of Prophet Muhammad to any person who requests it. Almost 16,000 Americans requested materials, [36] and numerous U.S. media reported on the effort, including the Associated Press. [37] [38]

In June 2006, CAIR announced a $50 million project to help dispel Islamophobia and protect against misrepresentation of Islam in the American media ($10 million per year for five years). According to the article, the project will be spearheaded by Paul Findley, a former United States Congressman. [39]

Criticism

Daniel Pipes and the Anti-Defamation League allege that CAIR is not a legitimate civil rights group and that it attempts to suppress criticism of Islamic terrorism and intolerance through accusations of racism and anti-Muslim bias.[40] [41] Steven Emerson claims that CAIR was founded with funding from the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, an alleged "Hamas group".[42][43][44] Andrew C. McCarthy accused CAIR of seeking to "undermine national security" while claiming that "several CAIR officials have been convicted or deported for terrorism-related activities and for other criminal offenses."

CAIR disputes these assertions,[45] and according to The New York Times, several U.S. government officials "described the standards used by critics to link CAIR to terrorism as akin to McCarthyism, essentially guilt by association." CAIR also suggests that "the statements and agendas of our detractors will show that they represent the extremes in our society."[45] CAIR also states on its website that an FBI agent said "false claims originate from one or two biased sources," and that a senior FBI official said CAIR will just have to live with them. The sources, according to CAIR, are primarily organizations such as Jihad Watch.[45] Indeed the New York Times called efforts to link the organization to Hamas and Hezbollah "unsuccessful," citing a former FBI official who suggests that no one believing the allegations is ever capable of producing any "cold hard facts". The Times also points out that even though a handful of its former members have faced prosecution no criminal charges have ever been linked to CAIR. The article further suggests that because CAIR's Washington chapter has repeatedly issued controversial statements, it has been difficult "for senior government officials to associate with the group." Barbara Boxer notably withdrew a "certificate of accomplishment" originally given to former CAIR official Basim Elkarra after learning that he had worked for the organization. [46] Yet Boxer's decision "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.

Condemning Terrorism

A compilation of articles, press releases and news clippings representing a sample of worldwide Muslim condemnation of these attacks and of terrorism in general, including CAIR’s. Most of the documents contain only excerpts of these condemnations. [47]

CAIR along with several American Muslim groups condemned the terrorist attacks on 9-11 within hours of the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center and has consistently condemned terrorism. CAIR took out a paid advertisement in the Washington Post condemning 9-11 and terrorism in all its forms. CAIR produced TV/Radio Public Service Announcements in English, Arabic, and Urdu that stated in part that we reject anyone who commits acts of violence against innocent people in the name of Islam. [48]

As mentioned in [[[Projects]]], CAIR coordinated the release of a fatwa (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.” [49] [50]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.cair.com/AboutUs/CAIRataGlance.aspx
  2. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/washington/14cair.html?ex=1331524800&en=8b587f5174217e8d&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
  3. ^ http://www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/HLF/US_v_HLF_Unindicted_Coconspirators.pdf
  4. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Muslim-Mafia-Underworld-Conspiring-Islamize/dp/1935071106/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255707714&sr=8-1
  5. ^ a b "Our Vision, Mission and Core Principles". Council on American-Islamic Relations. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  6. ^ a b "25 Facts about CAIR: Did you know?". Council on American-Islamic Relations. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
  7. ^ a b http://www.cair.com/AboutUs/25FactsAboutCAIR.aspx
  8. ^ http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/2006_Annual_Report.pdf
  9. ^ a b c [1] CAIR's Vision, Mission, and Core Principles
  10. ^ Tubbs, Sharon. "Muslims' Growing Voice." St. Petersburg Times 3 February 2003.
  11. ^ Noakes, Greg. "CAIR Counters Anti-Islam Card." Washington Report on Middle East Affairs November/December 1994: 62-64
  12. ^ Objecting to a depiction of Muhammad with a sword carved on a wall in the U.S. Supreme Court building. Though it was unable to be removed, literature handed out on tours of the building was revised to show more respect for Islam and for Muhammad | http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1163
  13. ^ 1997 - Causing the recall of the children's book Great Lives: World Religions, which portrayed Muhammad as hating members of other faiths and enjoying violence | (Carvajal, Doreen. "Simon & Schuster Recall Books, Easing Muslim Anger." New York Times 5 May 1997: D10.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Arab-Americans Suffer Hatred after Bombing," Chicago Sun-Times, May 13 1995
  16. ^ "Penny Bender, Jumping to Conclusions in Oklahoma City?" American Journalism Review, June 1995
  17. ^ Richard Roper, "Media Stumble Badly in Rush to Judgment," Chicago Sun-Times, April 24, 1995
  18. ^ Smith, Jane. Islam in America. New York. Columbia University Press, 1999.
  19. ^ Wilgoren, Debbi. "Making Muslim Voices Heard: To Promote the Vote, Leaders Provide Answers and Forms." Washington Post 14 September 1996: B01.
  20. ^ Cole, David. Enemy Aliens. New York. The New Press, 2003. Page 47
  21. ^ The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States: Stereotypes and Civil Liberties. 2002 < http://www.cair.com/CivilRights/CivilRightsReports/2002Report.aspx
  22. ^ http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism/CAIRstatementsontheeventsofSeptember11.aspx
  23. ^ http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism.aspxincluding
  24. ^ http://www.cair.com/AboutUs/25FactsAboutCAIR.aspx
  25. ^ http://www.cair.com/annualreport0405.pdf
  26. ^ http://www.cair.com/AboutUs/WhatTheySayAboutCAIR.aspx
  27. ^ "Ahmad Al-Akhras". CAIR National Board and Staff. Council on American-Islamic Relations. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  28. ^ CAIR Reports and Surveys
  29. ^ CAIR Civil Rights Reports
  30. ^ CAIR's 'Not in the name of Islam' Petition
  31. ^ August 2007 Archived version of CAIR's site prior to renovation
  32. ^ release
  33. ^ <http://www.cair.com/factsaboutcair.asp
  34. ^ http://www.cair.com/Muhammad/
  35. ^ http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-14-2006/0004282099&EDATE=Islam%20in%20America%20Ad%20Campaign
  36. ^ http://www.cair.com/AboutUs/25FactsAboutCAIR.aspx
  37. ^ Assimilation, tolerance mark U.S. Muslims' reaction to cartoons| http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=10642
  38. ^ http://www.cair.com/Muhammad/page.asp?pageid=pressclip&pressclipid=18
  39. ^ http://www.arabnews.com/?article=84122
  40. ^ Daniel Pipes (Spring 2006). "CAIR: Islamists Fooling the Establishment". Middle East Quarterly. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ "Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)". Anti-Defamation League. 2008-01-28. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
  42. ^ Steven Emerson (2007-03-28). "One Muslim advocacy group's not-so-secret terrorist ties". The New Republic Online. The New Republic. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  43. ^ Steven Emerson (2008-03-24). "Part 1: CAIR Exposed - As IAP Offshoot, CAIR Followed Pro-Hamas Agenda From the Start". IPT News. [The Investigative Project on Terrorism.
  44. ^ United States Senate Committee of Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs"Money Laundering and Terror Financing Issues in the Middle East." July 13, 2005 Accessed October 16, 2006.
  45. ^ a b c "Urban Legends". Council on American-Islamic Relations. 2007-01-19. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  46. ^ Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball (2006-12-29). "CAIR Play". Newsweek. Retrieved 2006-12-30.
  47. ^ http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism.aspx
  48. ^ http://www.cair.com/AboutUs/25FactsAboutCAIR.aspx
  49. ^ http://cair.com/FatwaJuly2005.pdf
  50. ^ http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism/FatwaAgainstTerrorism.aspx

News articles

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