Illinois GOP Orchestrates Smear Campagin Against Muslim Civic Organization CAIR
I am shocked and but again, should I really be? Yesterday the Illinois GOP issued a press release baselessly accusing CAIR, a respected civil rights Islamic organization, of being anti-Semitic. The Illinois GOP's open vilification of Muslims, and organizations that dare to have an independent opinion when it comes to Palestine and Israel, is frightening to say the least.
The Illinois GOP press release called on the Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) to expel the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) from its coalition due to "accusations of anti-Semitism". While I am all for denouncing all forms of anti-Semitism, I must remind the GOP that there are Jews too who criticize the Israeli violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories. There are Jews too who lamented the massacre of Palestinian civilians during the Gaza war. As recently as Nov. 9, Joshua Stanton, blogging for On Faith, called on Muslims and Jews to unite against hatred.
To shed light on the Palestinian reality does not constitute a form of anti-Semitism. But wait, isn't this approach typical of the Bush "regime" which proclaimed that we Americans were "with them or against them." That we were not half as patriotic if we didn't nod in agreement when it came to the Iraq war. Ah ... ha. Not much has changed, I see. Same old scare tactics. Same old us versus them.
All faith groups, including many Illinois Jewish leaders, were united in criticizing the human right violations perpetrated by the Israeli army during the last Israeli war on Gaza, just as they criticized Palestinian extremists.
So I say:
Dear Republican leaders of Illinois: We, the 400,000 Muslims in IL, are not afraid. We will continue to strengthen our involvement in civic and political life. We stand united behind civil rights organizations such as CAIR-Chicago. We are offended by this ill-advised statement. So reckless is it that responsible leaders of the Republican Party in Illinois should be quick to distance themselves from it and retract the allegation.
Will they, won't they? Well, if you feel strongly, let those in power hear about it.
Kamran Pasha: A Muslim Soldier's View from Fort Hood
I spoke today with a friend who is a Muslim soldier stationed at Fort Hood. He and Hasan prayed side-by-side at the mosque the morning of the massacre. He agreed to share his story with me if I granted him anonymity.
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i read this article recently, and was distressed by the amount of falsehoods contained in it, namely the premise that CAIR is a front group for Hamas, this is the sort of ammo the neocons use to discredit CAIR
A nation in fear of being seen as anti-Muslim
Plenty of people could have stopped Malik Hasan but they were too scared to do so, writes Ruth Dudley Edwards
"THERE'S a climate of fear in the US among the military, law-enforcers, policy-makers, the media, opinion-formers and many ordinary citizens. A major cause is the intimidating Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which is dedicated to Muslim empowerment, receives substantial funding from Arab governments and has been accused by federal prosecutors of funnelling money to Hamas"
http://tiny.cc/0wieE
From the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs:
With the great challenges facing our nation, this is no time for wedge-driving.
As the nation mourns the loss of soldiers at Fort Hood, it's all the more important that the diverse interests in our country stand together as a unified nation. Raising the specter of anti-Semitism, making comments about Muslims - these things run counter to the roots of our country. Ethnic charges threaten to derail and weaken the momentum for necessary change.
One such issue is the movement for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
In line with our mission to combat poverty, racism and anti-Semitism, the JCUA is a proud member of ICIRR, which is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic life of our diverse society.
ICIRR has brought together a broad coalition of diverse organizations, including CAIR-Chicago, in support of immigration reform.
For ICIRR, for CAIR-Chicago, for JCUA and for the broader community, it's important to stay focused on the main message: the time is now for comprehensive immigration reform.
JCUA will not succumb to the distraction of questionable political or rhetorical tactics designed to divide the supporters of immigration reform, attempting to set them against each other.
We will continue to work with the larger Muslim community and with ICIRR and with the diverse groups that are unified in the desire for just, compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform.
See Brian Levin, J.D.'s Profile
Dear Naazish:
CAIR can be roundly criticized for its relationship with hatemongers and extremists, irrespective of their position on Palestine/Israel. CAIR over the last decade has either sponsored, co-sponsored or had its leaders appear with people like Abdel Malik Aii (who says Jews did 9/11), William Baker (a neo-Nazi who was a leader in the anti-Semitic Carto empire), as well Imam Musa (who says the US did 9/11and wants to dismantle the US gov.), and Yvonne Ridley who praised Abu Hamza Al Masri, who celebrated the 9/11 attacks. CAIR does not repudiate these folks, and while I certainly think many of their critics are bigots themselves, their leadership is not acting in good faith by not repudiating the odious ideas of many of their speakers. See my earlier post which recounts and documents both Islamophobes and CAIR.
Sincerely,
Brian Levin
The Middle East Forum:
"Senator Charles Schumer describes it as an organization "which we know has ties to terrorism."[3] Senator Dick Durbin observes that CAIR is "unusual in its extreme rhetoric and its associations with groups that are suspect."[4] Steven Pomerantz, the FBI's former chief of counterterrorism, notes that "CAIR, its leaders, and its activities effectively give aid to international terrorist groups."[5] The family of John P. O'Neill, Sr., the former FBI counterterrorism chief who perished at the World Trade Center, named CAIR in a lawsuit as having "been part of the criminal conspiracy of radical Islamic terrorism"[6] responsible for the September 11 atrocities.
at least five of its employees and board members have been arrested, convicted, deported, or otherwise linked to terrorism-related charges and activities."
February 2009:
http://www.investigativeproject.org/1001/senators-praise-fbis-cair-freeze
Jon Kyl, Tom Coburn, Charles Schumer signed the letter dated Tuesday, which asked Mueller for additional information about the decision.
5 House members sent warning: "think twice before meeting with representatives of CAIR."
Evidence tying CAIR and its founders to the Hamas-support effort was disclosed during the prosecution of the Texas-based Holy Land Foundation. CAIR chairman emeritus, Omar Ahmad, named un-indicted co-conspirators. Ahmad and CAIR's director, Nihad Awad - were revealed on government wiretaps as active participants in Hamas-related US organizational meetings. FBI agent Lara Burns described CAIR as a front organization."
CAIR and ADC are both enemies of AIPAC and by extension most politicians will turn their guns on them as well. The previous poster mentioned Durbin and Schumer. In the past it has been most of the Jewish members of the Senate or Congress that have come out strongly against these muslim advocacy group. They want complete hegemony when it comes to opinion on the middle-east crisis. Its amazing that people are unable to connect the dots. Stand in the way of AIPAC and you will be quickly marginalized and be subjected to endless legal battles. It doesn't matter if your criticisms are valid, far from anti-semitic or even if you are jewish yourself. Hopefully there will be a time when we can broach this topic without people putting a premature stop to it by hurling charges of anti-semitism.
Ms YarKhan,,, seems you are being very selective in demonizing the Illinois GOP.... CAIR seems to be the target of Democrats as well , and as Illinois is mostly Democrat run why ?......One of the main reasons CAIR is criticized so vehemently from so many is that CAIR has yet to publicly condemn any radical Islamic atrocities....
Go to their website and do some reading before making your pointless accusations.
Quoting Barbara Boxer from the NewsWeek article posted below, "To praise an organization because they haven't been indicted is like somebody saying, 'I'm not a crook,'” Boxer says."
Your suggestion, FrTown? "Go to their website"?!?! Their website reinforces exactly what Sen. Boxer was saying.
Perhaps you should visit some other websites yourself. Then you might learn:
In a letter from the FBI to Sen. Kyl on April 28, 2009: “As you know, CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development in the United States v. Holy Land Foundation et al. (Cr. No. 3:04-240-P (N.D.TX.). During that trial, evidence was introduced that demonstrated a relationship among CAIR, individual CAIR founders (including its current President Emeritus and its Executive Director) and the Palestinian Committee. Evidence was also introduced that demonstrated a relationship between the Palestinian Committee and HAMAS, which was designated a terrorist organization in 1995. In light of that evidence, the FBI suspended all formal contacts between CAIR and the FBI.”
In yesterdays news: ""We wanted them to basically sit down and say that they didn't support (Hamas) and they intended to refrain from future support," the FBI official said. "That's really nothing fancy, other than an ideological rejection of Hamas. They don't want to (do) that.""
CAIR's membership has dropped from 29,000 in 2000 to 1,700 in 2006.
NICELYDONE's comment is rooted in facts while your comment baselessy dismisses it.
In addition, at CAIR's October 24, 2009 annual fundraiser 5 Embassies & foreign national groups sponsoring last year's event declined to do so this year - Embassy of Jordan, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Embassy of Kuwait, Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the League of Arab States.
Again, there are a lot of good organizations stemming from every ethnicity and religion imaginable doing a great deal of good work in our world. Distinguished members of both main political parties in America (in addition to the the FBI) have drawn the conclusion CAIR is not one of those organizations and is, ultimately, a front group. It appears that many Middle-Eastern countries are also drawing the same conclusions.
Dear Nicelydone, Please see my responses below to another commentator re: selectively demonizing the GOP. The GOP Press Release is breaking news, hence my attention to it as a subject unto itself. Also, please take a moment to visit CAIR's website. As a Muslim, I know only too well, how often CAIR and all Muslims and Muslim Leaders denounce radical Muslims. It's only that, most often, the media would rather not cover it and / or tuck it into some obscure page of thier newspapers. As we journalists know 'if it bleeds it leads'. Bad news sells. Do join us for some interfaith work being done in Chicago so we may better understnad each other - it's an eye-opener for one and all. Begin with www.ciogc.org, www.ifyc.org and www.jcua.org. Thanks for taking the time to write and as importantly being polite.
I have a deep affection for Israelis, having lived in West Jerusalem just last year. But what I found, and greatly admire, is that Israelis are often their own harshest critics. To censor anyone on the basis of political views about Israel seems undemocratic -- and ironically like something a majority of Israelis themselves would oppose. No matter where you stand on the War in Gaza, there is no reason to stand against open and free discussion, provided it remains (ideally) respectful and (at least) thoughtful and with empathy for all.
I agree completely. Thank you
Dear Mr. Illinois,
Thank you ! One group of Islamophobes is just as bad as another. I completely agree that both parties have their share of small minded politicians who clearly don't know the facts. If it weren't for organizations such as CAIR, there'd be so many, many Muslims strung out to dry by those given to hate crimes. Thank you again for your comment.
You said: I must remind the GOP that there are Jews too who criticize the Israeli violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories. There are Jews too who lamented the massacre of Palestinian civilians during the Gaza war.
I'm asking: Are there any Palestinians who blame themselves? CAIR is an unidicted co-conspirator in the Hamas Holyland Foundation scam. Have you ever read the Hamas Charter, the PLO Charter, the Fatah Constitution? Do you know how the Seven Days War began? Do you know how Israel ended up with the land they were given in 1948?
Dear Maggiesnotebook,
Thank you so much for commenting. I have nothing but good things to say about CAIR, as do the people who have benefited from their help. I am sure you've also heard of organizations such as The Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine ( www.cjpip.org), Jewish Voice for Peace www.jewishvoiceforpeace.orgg ) and J Street www.jstreet.orgrg). I would check in with them about their stand on CAIR. Good Luck!
Naazish YarKhan, the questions I asked were pertinent to the positions you hold. I know about J Street and the other organizations you mention. But do you know about the CAIR connection to Hamas, have you read their charter, do you know how the Seven Days War began, and do you know how Israel ended up with the land they were given by the League of Nations in 1948?
Perhaps the most important question to you is, do you know of any Palestinian organizations that criticize the Palestinians? You pointed out the Jewish critics of Jews. How about Palestinians criticizing their own?
Your column conveniently ignores many, many facts. It also ignores the fact that many prominent Democrats have urged reputable organizations and individuals to distance themselves from CAIR as well. Just one example comes from the NewsWeek story located at: http://www.newsweek.com/id/44338
"But Boxer stands by her decision to withdraw the award and to distance herself from CAIR, saying she was influenced by previous critical statements about CAIR made by her Democratic colleagues Sens. Richard Durbin of Illinois and Charles Schumer of New York. "To praise an organization because they haven't been indicted is like somebody saying, 'I'm not a crook,'” Boxer says."
And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
There are a lot of good organizations stemming from every ethnicity and religion imaginable doing a great deal of good work in our world. Distinguished members of both main political parties in America (in addition to the the FBI) have drawn the conclusion CAIR is not one of those organizations and is, ultimately, a front group.
So, in the interest of consistency and fairness Ms. YarKhan, this begs the question: will you publish a similar statement directed to the prominent Senators mentioned in the NewsWeek piece as well, add Sen. Durbin to the statement you've already published or perhaps retract your piece?
Dear Mr. Illinois,
Thank you ! One group of Islamophobes is just as bad as another. I completely agree that both parties have their share of small minded politicians who clearly don't know the facts. If it weren't for organizations such as CAIR, there'd be so many, many Muslims strung out to dry by those given to hate crimes. Thank you again for your comment.
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