Council on American-Islamic Relations

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Council on American Islamic Relations is a self-described "grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties organization, with regional offices nationwide. CAIR's national headquarters are on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C."

Nihad Awad is the Executive Director of CAIR.

Mission

"Since its establishment in 1994, CAIR has worked to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America. Through media relations, government relations, education and advocacy, CAIR puts forth an Islamic perspective to ensure the Muslim voice is represented. In offering this perspective, CAIR seeks to empower the American Muslim community and encourage their participation in political and social activism."[1]

Support for Hamas

CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad: 'I am in support of the Hamas Movement' (3:24 timestamp)

CAIR Co-founder and Executive Director Nihad Awad asserted at a March 1994 meeting at Barry University:[2],[3] "I used to support the PLO, and I used to be the President of the General Union of Palestine Students which is part of the PLO here in the United States, but after I researched the situation inside Palestine and outside, I am in support of the Hamas movement more than the PLO.”"

Response to Oct 7 2023 Hamas Terror Attack

Letter to Joe Biden Demanding Ceasefire

The Council on American-Islamic Relations along with other organizations signed a letter dated October 18, 2023[4] to Joe Biden demanding his support of a "ceasefire" and called on the Biden Administration "to permanently end these recurring cycles of horrific violence by pursuing credible negotiations to bring a lasting peace, including by ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory."

Text of the Letter

October 18, 2023
The Honorable Joe Biden
President of the United States
The White House
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20500
Re: End Violence in Gaza, and Pursue a Permanent Peace
Dear President Biden:
On behalf of the undersigned civil rights groups, human rights organizations, and houses of worship, we write to call on your Administration to urgently seek a ceasefire in the Holy Land to protect innocent people in Palestine and Israel, including American citizens and others in captivity, from further death and destruction.
We also call on your Administration to permanently end these recurring cycles of horrific violence by pursuing credible negotiations to bring a lasting peace, including by ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.
Killing civilians is wrong, no matter whether the victims are Israeli or Palestinian, American, or any other nationality. That’s why we unequivocally condemn attacks against civilians in Israel and why we also unequivocally condemn the ongoing bombing attacks on civilians in Gaza.
Our nation must do the same. As your Administration condemns the targeting of civilians in Israel, it must not simultaneously sanction the targeting of civilians in Palestine.
For over a week, the Israeli government has conducted a massive bombing campaign of the blockaded Gaza Strip, destroying apartment buildings, mosques, schools, marketplaces, and refugee shelters. Israel’s far-right defense minister has said that Israel is fighting “human animals” in Gaza and would treat the entire population of Gaza accordingly by imposing a total ban on food, water, and fuel. The Israeli government also demanded that one million Palestinians evacuate northern Gaza, a violation of international law that the United Nations said was impossible.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned, “What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations.”
With these words, he has threatened to inflict severe and lasting collective punishment on the people of Gaza. This collective punishment is already underway: over 3,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed to date, including hundreds of Palestinian children. These actions are a violation of international law and constitute war crimes.
To be clear, the Israeli government is not bombing military targets with precision to avoid civilian casualties. It is bombing many innocent people who had nothing to do with the attack on southern Israel. The Israeli government has even admitted that it no longer fires warning shots at apartment buildings before destroying them.
As you know, Prime Minister Netanyahu leads a government of far-right extremists who openly speak of ethnic cleansing. Giving him carte blanche to continue bombarding and blockading civilians in Gaza under the guise of fighting terrorism could lead to the deaths of thousands of more innocent people in the coming days. In recent years, we have seen what happens when the United States gives such far-right governments unqualified support.
Through the acts of bombing an office housing the Associated Press [See Editor's Note Below] and other media outlets in 2021, killing Shireen Abu Akleh and other journalists, attacking worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and enabling wanton settler violence against Palestinian towns, successive Israeli governments have violated international law. The United States must step in to bring the ongoing violence to an end and demand that all involved abide by international norms, rather than violate them.
This is a critical moment for your Administration. By securing a ceasefire, averting more civilian deaths, and initiating credible negotiations to secure a lasting and just peace, including the end of the occupation, your Administration can make history by stopping the cycle of violence once and for all.
The alternative – enabling Netanyahu’s far-right government to turn Gaza into the latest Aleppo or Grozny – will not bring peace or stability. On the contrary, it will spark further generations of violent conflict.
We stand ready to support your efforts to secure a just and lasting peace for all in the region.

'Signatories

The signatories of the letter:[5]

  • Editor's Note: The building that Israel targeted in 2021 likely contained Hamas in addition to the Associated Press (despite the Associated Press' denial[6] that Hamas was in the building), as admitted by former Obama spokesperson Tommy Vietor, where he claimed on social media that he is “sure Hamas offices were in that building” and he "talked to people who worked in the building".[7]

Support 'Ceasefire Now Resolution'

Council on American-Islamic Relations endorsed the Ceasefire Now Resolution initiated by Cori Bush, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee, and Delia Ramirez.[8],[9]

"This resolution, co-sponsored by a diverse group of dedicated members of Congress, calls on the Biden Administration to urgently seek a de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine. It also emphasizes the vital need for sending humanitarian aid to Gaza, with a primary goal of saving innocent lives caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.
The Ceasefire Now Resolution offers an alternative to a looming bipartisan resolution endorsed by 390 other members of Congress, led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks. That resolution essentially provides an open-ended endorsement for Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of Palestinian civilian lives.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“The Israeli government is subjecting Palestinians trapped in Gaza to a total blockade and a relentless bombing campaign that has already killed more than two thousand civilians, and over 1,000 children. The United States must change course, demand a ceasefire, and pursue a just and lasting peace before more Palestinian, Israeli or American civilians perish.
“We thank Representatives Cori Bush, Rashida Tlaib, Andre Carson, and other congressional resolution co-sponsors for their efforts to protect the lives of all civilians and urge all members of the House of Representatives to unite in support of this commonsense resolution.”

Support of HAMAS Bombing of Israel

Council on American-Islamic Relations tweet dated October 7, 2023 in support of bombings of Israel

The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted a thread on X in support of devastating bombings of Israel on October 7, 2023:[10]

"We join @USCMO and the American Muslim community in reaffirming our support for the Palestinian people's right to freedom and calling for an end to the Israeli occupation, which kills hundreds of Palestinian civilians every year, subjects millions of Palestinians to racist oppression, and sparks the deadly violence that we see again and again, including today. 1/6
The far-right Israeli government's ongoing bombing of civilians in Gaza cannot bring peace. Neither can Benjamin Netanyahu's threats of even more mass violence against innocent Palestinians who have been trapped in an open air prison for 15 years. Only ending the occupation can bring true peace. 2/6
The longstanding U.S. policy of total support for the Israeli government, no matter what injustices it commits, has failed to bring peace to Israelis or Palestinians. To achieve peace in the region, our nation must change course and pursue justice--not the status quo. 3/6
Furthermore, Arab and Muslim countries that have signed thinly veiled arms deals with the Israeli government must do the same. Normalizing relations should never come at the expense of the Palestinian people’s right to freedom. 4/6
@USCMO calls upon the U.S., Arab and Muslim governments, and the global community to exert maximum pressure on the Israeli government to honor their obligations under international law to respect Palestinian human rights and end the occupation. 5/6
Read the full @USCMO statement below to learn more. 6/6

STATEMENT

Verbatim from the Council on American-Islamic Relations website:[11]

"(WASHINGTON, D.C. – 10/7/2023) – The United States Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), the nation’s largest American Muslim civil society umbrella organization, reaffirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to freedom from the Israeli occupation.
The recent unprovoked and continuous attacks by Israel on Palestinian towns, cities, and refugee camps have resulted in tragic loss of Palestinian lives. We condemn Israel’s targeted and indiscriminate killing of civilians, including innocent children, women, and the elderly, and we denounce the inhumane siege imposed on the nearly 2 million inhabitants of Gaza, a clear violation of international law and an implied declaration of open war on the Palestinians which oblige them to be in constant self-defense.
The silence surrounding these grave injustices is nothing short of complacency. It is our firm belief that justice is the cornerstone of lasting peace. No security measures can bring true peace in the absence of justice.
We call upon the United States government, which provides military, economic, financial, political, diplomatic, and limitless support to Israel, to exert pressure on the occupation regime to immediately cease these atrocities. It is evident that the longstanding policy of unbridled support for Israel has failed to bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians. To achieve stability in the region, a serious reevaluation of a fair and balanced policy is imperative.
Furthermore, we urge Arab and Muslim countries that have normalized relations with Israel to reconsider their approach in pursuit of peace and stability in the region. We must remember that the concept of “land for peace” has been long proposed, only to be ignored and dismissed by Israel, causing humiliation and disgrace to those who proposed it. Normalizing relations should never come at the expense of the Palestinian people’s rights to their lands. There can be no true peace that disregards the sanctity and Muslim rights of the Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds Alshareef. These holy places belong to the 1.7 billion Muslims worldwide and should never be disregarded or dismissed. We hold the Muslim countries, individually and collectively, responsible for the safety and sanctity of Al-Quds and the holy places.
In solidarity with the Palestinian people and in the spirit of international justice, we call upon the United States government, Arab and Muslim governments, and the global community to exert maximum pressure on Israel to halt its provocations and adhere to international demands to respect Palestinian rights to their lands, properties, and lives. Only when these rights are recognized can genuine and lasting peace be achieved for all parties involved.
The U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) is the nation’s largest American Muslim civil society umbrella organization.

Founding members of USCMO include American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), The Mosque Cares (Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed). CURRENT MEMBERS: https://uscmo.org/council_members/

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

END

CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com;

Palestine Committee connection

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Evidence linking CAIR and its founders to a Hamas-support network has been released through court action. That evidence prompted the FBI to cut off its outreach with the group. In 2010, the DOJ said it had seen no "new evidence that exonerates CAIR from the allegations that it provides financial support to designated terrorist organizations."

CAIR was listed among organizations belonging to an umbrella group of Hamas-support entities in the United States called the Palestine Committee. In addition, CAIR founders Nihad Awad and Omar Ahmed were included alongside senior Hamas officials such as Mousa Abu Marzook and Ahmed Yousef on a telephone list of individual Palestine Committee members.

That evidence was released in the terror-financing trial of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) in Dallas.[12]

Local affiliates

Support from Democrats

Letters of support written in September 2018 for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) from Congressional Lawmakers obtained by The Investigative Project on Terrorism:[13]

Civil Rights Work

CAIR's civil rights department counsels, mediates and advocates on behalf of Muslims and others who have experienced religious discrimination, defamation or hate crimes. The department works to protect and defend the constitutional rights of American Muslims, thereby supporting the rights of all Americans.[14]

Government Affairs

CAIR's government affairs department conducts and organizes lobbying efforts on issues related to Islam and Muslims. The department monitors legislation and government activities and responds on behalf of the American Muslim community. CAIR representatives have testified before Congress and have sponsored a number of activities designed to bring Muslim concerns to Capitol Hill.[15]

Media Relations

CAIR's communications department works with local and national media to ensure an accurate portrayal of Islam and Muslims is presented to the American public. CAIR monitors local, national and international media, in part to challenge negative stereotypes, but also to applaud and encourage positive representations of Islam and Muslims. Over the years, CAIR has become a respected and credible source for journalists and other media professionals.[16]

In 2019 Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) held its 25th Annual Gala in Washington, D.C, in which CAIR’s executive director announced a goal of pushing more Muslims into Congress.

Press Conference after New Zealand Massacre

CAIR blames President Trump for New Zealand mosque massacre, calls for more hate crime and "hate incident" laws.

A press conference posted on Facebook[17] shows "CAIR, Interfaith Allies" blaming President Trump for the massacre in Christchurch New Zealand on March 15, 2019.

Speakers:

Press Conference after New Zealand Massacre

CAIR blames President Trump for New Zealand mosque massacre, calls for more hate crime and "hate incident" laws.

A press conference posted on Facebook[18] shows "CAIR, Interfaith Allies" blaming President Trump for the massacre in Christchurch New Zealand on March 15, 2019.

Speakers:

Press Conference after New Zealand Massacre

CAIR blames President Trump for New Zealand mosque massacre, calls for more hate crime and "hate incident" laws.

A press conference posted on Facebook[19] shows "CAIR, Interfaith Allies" blaming President Trump for the massacre in Christchurch New Zealand on March 15, 2019.

Speakers:

Aiming for political power

CAIR’s executive director Nihad Awad shared the “formula” he believes will secure Islamists greater political power:

A strong CAIR equals a strong community. A strong community will produce a strong and confident and successful Muslim … “So I’m telling you tonight we are going to work in the next years, inshallah (God willing], to elect at least 30 Muslims in the Congress. This number is equivalent to our size and our potential as American Muslims. Including at least two [U.S.] senator Muslims.

In addition, Awad envisioned Muslim judges, including a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, along with an Islamist extension of Hollywood. [20]

Freedom Road connection

Hassan Shibly, Cassia Laham, Mick Kelly

A group of 50 people gathered at the First United Church of Tampa, February 2015, for a panel discussion, “State Repression and the War on Terror.” Speakers focused on the U.S. government targeting of Arab-Americans, Muslims and anti-war activists for political repression.

“Only the fish that opens its mouth gets in trouble,” said Attorney Hassan Shibly of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). Shibly advised individuals to remain silent and call their lawyer when facing intimidation and questioning by the FBI. CAIR offers representation to clients for free.

Another panelist, Cassia Laham, spoke about the growing student movement in opposition to U.S. support for Israeli and for the liberation of all of Palestine. She helped found Students for Justice in Palestine at University of Florida.

“We have a duty to keep organizing together to keep moving forward,” Laham said. Currently she is active with People’s Opposition to Imperialism, War, and Racism (POWIR) in Miami and organizes in solidarity with Palestinian American women’s leader Rasmea Odeh..

“Targeting of Arab Americans and Muslims for the sake of ‘safety’ is a lie used by the state to perpetuate fear of these oppressed communities and to instill support of U.S. wars overseas,” said Mick Kelly from Minneapolis.

“The U.S. has built an empire that encompasses every continent, the people of the Middle East are defeating that empire. They are fighting to get the boot of the U.S. and Israel of their necks. We need to stand in solidarity with all those who are fighting for their liberation and defeat attempts to repress ourselves and others,” continued Kelly. Kelly is one of the anti-war and international solidarity activists whose home was turned upside down by the FBI in 2010.

Kelly also spoke about Rasmea Odeh’s trial in Detroit, “Through organizing and speaking out, it is a way to make a breakthrough.”

The CSFR-Tampa is organizing a local protest on March 12 in support of Rasmea Odeh. One local leader will be attending Odeh’s sentencing in Detroit.[21]

"No Muslim ban" campaign

Custom campaign image DSC4390ddd.jpg

25 Influential American Muslims

CAIR promoted a video of 25 Influential Muslims on May 3 2018: Andre Carson, Farhana Khera, Ibrihaj Muhammad, G. Willow Wilson, Imam Suhaib Webb, Keith Ellison, Linda Sarsour, Hasan Minhaj[22]

Board

As of 2016;[23]

Staff

As of 2016;

List of Candidates

The Rise of American Muslim Changemakers

A report by Jetpac, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and MPower Change called The Rise of American Muslim Changemakers reports:

"The success of the “My Muslim Vote” campaign was built atop the organizational infrastructure MPower Change has built since its founding.

MPower has quickly grown to become one of the largest Muslim-led social and racial justice organizations in the United States. It combines digital organizing with grassroots, community-based organizing to conduct campaigns with a diverse set of ally organizations across the U.S. Founded in 2014 by Linda Sarsour, Mark Crain, and Dustin Craun, who collectively brought together more than 40 years of community organizing experience, the intention was to build a grassroots organization rooted in the diverse Muslim communities in the United States. Combining their experiences in faith-based, local, and digital organizing, together they convened a group of leading American Muslim organizers and faith leaders to set the spiritual, political, and organizational vision. Today, MPower Change has developed both a digital organizing team and a field team that leads on the ground organizing in key cities across the U.S.

"Like other online activist platforms such as Color of Change, MPower Change directly engages with Muslims and ally communities who are interested in community organizing. The diversity of the organizational leadership, the intersectionality of the campaigns and actions supported by the platform, and the strong focus on Muslim values makes MPower Change a unique voice in the Muslim community willing to take on important social justice issues."

The following listed the following Muslim candidates for office between 2016 - 2018:[24]

References

  1. ↑ [1]
  2. ↑ COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS (CAIR)
  3. ↑ CAIR Boss Cheers Hamas Oct 7 Attack (accessed May 30, 2024)
  4. ↑ Re: End Violence in Gaza, and Pursue a Permanent Peace (accessed October 23, 2023)
  5. ↑ CAIR Joins 70+ Organizations in Urgent Letter to President Biden Ahead of Israel and Jordan Trip, Demanding Immediate Ceasefire, Lasting Peace (accessed October 23, 2023)
  6. ↑ AP statement on destruction of Gaza bureau (accessed October 23, 2023)
  7. ↑ Stunning Admission from Obama Stooge: Hamas Known to be in Israel-Targeted Building with AP, Other Media (accessed October 23, 2023)
  8. ↑ CAIR Endorses Congressional ‘Ceasefire Now’ Resolution on Israel and Palestine (accessed October 23, 2023)
  9. ↑ Archive Link: CAIR Endorses Congressional ‘Ceasefire Now’ Resolution on Israel and Palestine (accessed October 23, 2023)
  10. ↑ CAIR Tweet dated October 7, 2023 (Accessed Oct 7, 2023)
  11. ↑ USCMO Stands in Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Calls for Immediate End to Atrocities in Occupied Territories (accessed Oct 7, 2023)
  12. ↑ [2]
  13. ↑ Letters of Support for CAIR accessed January 26 2020
  14. ↑ [3]
  15. ↑ [4]
  16. ↑ [5]
  17. ↑ CAIR, Interfaith Allies Hold DC News Conference in Response to Terror Attack on New Zealand Mosques accessed March 17 2019
  18. ↑ CAIR, Interfaith Allies Hold DC News Conference in Response to Terror Attack on New Zealand Mosques accessed March 17 2019
  19. ↑ CAIR, Interfaith Allies Hold DC News Conference in Response to Terror Attack on New Zealand Mosques accessed March 17 2019
  20. ↑ [6]
  21. ↑ FBNews, Tampa event opposes U.S. war and political repression By Jessica Schwartz | February 23, 2015
  22. ↑ accessed May 3 2018
  23. ↑ [7]
  24. ↑ The Rise of American Muslim Changemakers accessed August 29 2019
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