Does CAIR Really Care?

In late July I contacted Mr. Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman and director of communications at the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). When he returned my call, he presented his point of view about the Arab-Israeli conflict and militant Islam. When I reminded him about CAIR's record of openly supporting Hamas, Hizbullah and other organizations deemed by the government to be terrorists, he replied by telling me that "CAIR does not support these groups publicly."

But Hooper must have realized that he had said too much; he lost his composure and I suddenly found myself listening to a dial tone.

To make sure that I had not misunderstood him, I called him back. His response? "Call me tomorrow morning." Then he hung up the phone again.

Instead of calling Mr. Hooper the next day, however, I sent him an e-mail and told him that his comment kept haunting me and that I believe I was owed an explanation. In my quest to comprehend CAIR's position regarding the Middle East peace process, I posed the following six questions, hoping for a clear response:

1. Does CAIR accept the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state in its historic, biblical homeland, whose 'final' borders should be negotiated between the state of Israel and representatives of Palestinian Arabs who have renounced violence?

3. Does CAIR deem Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Tanzim, al-Aqsa Brigades, Fatah and other such groups as terrorist organizations, without making a distinction between their political and military wings?

6. Does CAIR agree that a final resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict can be achieved only through political negotiations, with no threat of a return to violence?

After a few days, there was still no response from Mr. Hooper; so I called him again to clarify what he meant about not “publicly” supporting terrorist groups and to get his reaction to my six questions.

CAIR was founded in 1994 by two former officials of the Islamic Association for Palestine, a group that former FBI counterterrorism chief Oliver Revell acknowledged was formed as a front for the Palestinian Arab terrorist group, Hamas. One of CAIR's official founders and its executive director, Nihad Awad, openly expressed support for Hamas, Hizbullah and numerous other Arab/Islamic terrorist organizations.

Mr. Hooper has defended Saudi financial support of Palestinian suicide bombers. In spite of this, much of America's present political establishment embraces CAIR as a legitimate, mainstream Muslim-American organization. FBI Director Robert Mueller and other top FBI officials have met with CAIR, even though CAIR seems to be more opposed to the FBI's efforts to fight terrorism than to the terrorists themselves, as reported by Michael Waller in Insight magazine.

Taking a closer look at the facts, CAIR can be characterized only as an extremist group.

On June 26, Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) chaired hearings on "Terrorism: Growing Wahhabi Influence in the United States" before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security. According to the testimony of Stephen Schwartz, Director of the Islam and Democracy Program at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, CAIR is financed by and maintains open and close relations with the Saudi government, whose goal, we now know, is to spread the autocratic Wahhabi brand of Islam, which aims to rule the world. CAIR has claimed that some 70 percent of American Muslims want the Wahhabi teaching in their mosques.

CAIR also claims to be a (Muslim) civil liberties organization. As CAIR's spokesman, should Mr. Hooper not, then, offer an explanation as to why militant Islamists appear to be indifferent to the civil liberties of non-Muslims? If Mr. Hooper is the communication director of CAIR, why is he so unwilling to communicate what he meant when he said that, “publicly”, CAIR does not support terrorist groups?

If CAIR truly stands for equality, freedom, tolerance and democracy for everyone, it should be calling for the dismantling of terrorist groups. But never have I heard any CAIR spokesperson denounce terrorism except in a twisted, elusive manner that seeks to blame those who speak out against the terrorists' militant brand of Islam.

As an American, Mr. Hooper should make the elimination of hate and incitement his objective. It is apparent, from our interaction, that Mr. Hooper may not really believe in the American system. This was indicated by his infamous statement in a 1993 interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune in which he declared, "I wouldn't want to create the impression that I wouldn't like the government of the United States to be Islamic sometime in the future."

Hopefully, Mr. Hooper will take a few minutes out of his busy schedule to respond to my very simple questions and explain his comment that CAIR doesn't support terrorist groups “publicly”. Surely my questions are not that difficult to answer – unless, of course, CAIR actually supports terrorist organizations and/or is supported by them, and simply doesn't want the public to know it.

In Defense of the Constitution

Anti-CAIR Press Release 020/03

August 19, 2003

- CAIR Smears Dr. Pipes, Again?

CAIR Smears Dr. Pipes, Again?

In an “American Muslim News Brief” dated 18 August, 2003, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) accused Dr. Daniel Pipes of quoting a writer who writes for a “hate site”. CAIR goes on to
say that, “CAIR has chosen not to reveal the web site’s address or the name of the writer in order not to give either the publicity they seek. Details will be provided to accredited media professionals who
contact CAIR’s Communications Department.”

How interesting. For the first time in CAIR’s history, they refuse to publicly identify a “hater”. CAIR refuses to identify a hater…because they don’t want the hater to get publicity? Is this the real
reason…or could it be that CAIR doesn’t want to acknowledge that it is entirely possible that some people may actually have views of Islam that differ from the Wahhabi Islamic views of CAIR? Would CAIR
provide the details to any accredited media professional, or just those who agree with their perverted worldview?

As a public service, ACAIR identifies the writer as Mr. Jamal Hasan and the article in question can be read on the Faith Freedom International web site. Unlike CAIR, we invite all readers to visit the
“hate” web site and make up their own mind as to the content. Unlike CAIR, ACAIR will not presume to do your thinking for you.

CAIR quotes Mr. Hasan,

“As probing of Islam becomes an ordinary and mundane exercises (sic) in this day of openness (thanks to the Internet!), more of Islam’s inanities will be revealed”.

Does this sound like the statement of an Islamophobe? Or could it possibly be the writing of a person exercising their first amendment rights?

ACAIR quotes the entire paragraph:

“In summary, in this write-up I tried to bring certain inanities that very prevalent in Islamic belief system. These are not quite obvious to eyes of believers. In Islam, dissension are not only
allowed but are dealt with very summarily. As probing of Islam becomes an ordinary and mundane exercises in this day of openness (thanks to the Internet!), more of Islam’s inanities will be revealed and
one day not too far from now, Islam will also join the ranks of other faiths and in the process it will become a benign religion. In the meanwhile let us hope that Islam will shed its Jihadism to make our
earth a place where people belonging to all faiths could live harmoniously.” (Note: Copied verbatim, no corrections made).

It makes a difference when you read the entire paragraph. Once again, CAIR is hoping that lazy readers and journalists will not bother to check their source material. This is just one instance, of many,
of CAIR using selective quotes to push a Wahhabi Islamic point of view.

Now, for a look at the web site that CAIR felt was so dangerous that its location could only be revealed to “accredited media professionals”. “Faith Freedom International” hardly qualifies as a “hate site”.
Nowhere on this web site has the site owner advocated violence against Muslims. Above the masthead of the web site are the words:

“This site is created by ex-Muslims to help Muslims leave Islam. Islam is a lie and this site is the proof”

Strong words? Yes. Hateful words? Hardly.

Just below the masthead are the words:

“Muslims are not terrorists. Islamic terrorism is due to the bad teachings of the Quran.”

Again, strong words? Yes. Hateful? …or Truthful?

Is this the best example that CAIR can come up with in their feeble attempts to smear the Presidents nominee to the US Institute of Peace? CAIR combs the internet, looking to find mud to throw at Dr.
Pipes and THIS is the best that they can do? Twist a few words, quote a few sentences out of context, add dire words about a “hate site” so terrible its location must remain secret from the general public?
(Does CAIR believe the general public is so sensitive they’d go into cardiac arrest if they visited Faith Freedom International? Are we Americans so soft that we can’t handle a “hate site”? After 9-11, CAIR
should have known that we Americans are made of much sterner stuff and we DO NOT need them to protect us).

If this is the best that Mr. Hooper, CAIR spokesperson, can do, it’s long past time for CAIR to consider hiring a replacement. Mr. Hooper is clearly in over his head.

Perhaps Mr. Hooper should read that pesky little first amendment he’s so fond of throwing in our faces?

Oh yes, Dr. Pipes sin? He dared to quote a writer who is moderate and dares to reject CAIR as being representative of Muslims in America. Now, who’s the “hater”?

The ball is in your court, Mr. Hooper. Please feel free to exercise your first amendment rights. Keep in mind that no Islamist American ever deigned to lift a finger to protect that right. On a nice sunny
afternoon, after combing the internet looking for more mud to sling, maybe you could stroll over to Arlington Cemetery and take a look at the resting places of thousands of Americans who gave their lives to
protect your right to denigrate our great country.

Mr. Hooper, we hope you’re proud of yourself.

ACAIR is pleased to answer any questions from the public and press.

Your comments, suggestions and tips are appreciated and all e-mail is read.

You may request our press releases by writing:

Andrew Whitehead
ACAIR
ajwhitehead@anti-cair-net.org
www.anti-cair-net.org

ADVISORY:
Subscribers are warned that the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) may contact your employer if CAIR believes you are using a work address to receive any material that CAIR believes may be
offensive. CAIR has been known to shame employers into firing employees CAIR finds disagreeable. For that reason, we strongly suggest that corporate e-mail users NOT use a corporate e-mail
account/address when communicating with ACAIR. We make every reasonable effort to protect our mailing list, but we cannot guarantee confidentiality. ACAIR does not share, loan, sell, rent or otherwise
publicize our mailing list. We respect your privacy!

TIPS:
All persons are invited to submit tips and leads. ACAIR will acknowledge receipt of all tips/leads, but we will NOT acknowledge the source of ANY tip or lead in our Press Releases or on our web site.
Exceptions are made for leading media personalities at the discretion of ACAIR and only on request of the person(s) submitting the tip or lead.

Does CAIR Really Care?

Oh yes indeed they do, but about what?
Media Alert--For Immediate Release - March 2, 1999

National Muslim Organizations Incite Modern Day Lynch Mob

CAIR’s false allegations create hysteria amongst American Muslims. Death threats, harassment and acts of discrimination ensue

"One of the most duplicitous and effective tactics to destroy a person, which is common in the Washington political jungle, is to take a person’s statements, reverse the meaning, and then attack the person for what they want him to say in order to destroy him."- former government official, ISCA Supporter

(Washington, DC)—In an attempt to censor the viewpoints of moderate Muslims living in America, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in concert with six other "American" Muslim organizations have unified to stifle the First Amendment rights of Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA), and have instigated a modern day Muslim lynch mob.

On February 25, 1999, seven Muslim organizations (see end of release), issued a statement condemning the discussion by Shaykh Kabbani at a State Department Open Forum on Islamic extremism and demanded that he issue an apology and retraction. They deliberately distorted the words and took phrases out of context from the speech, knowing it would incite furor and hatred towards the council and its chairman. In response, many emotionally-charged individuals have issued threatening statements to Shaykh Kabbani and his council members. The following are excerpts from a few of the written responses received thus far, illustrating the very actions the scholar warned against in his address:

"YOU ARE ALL ISRAELI AGENTS. WE WILL DESTROY YOU. DIE IN HELL. Beware of your actions….The Anti-Kabbani Coordinating Council is in the process of being formed…." – Irfan Handoo, Kansas City, student and member of ISNA
I CAN'T BELIEVE THE STATEMENTS IN CAIR..!!! Stay away from the next ISNA or any other Islamic conference!!! If not you will walk away limping if not worse. I swear by Allah..! –from email account billclinton64@hotmail.com
"I WANT TO SEE YOU DEAD…lets just say it’s a result of the recent tide of something that you have such a genuine fear of that you must warn your friends…[about] the extremist students…the last one you’ll ever see" – unsigned but copied to students of the Organization of Arab Students, University of Maryland-College Park
As in Uzbekistan, where Muslim extremists recently killed 200 fellow Muslims, there is a modern day witch hunt taking place throughout the world, including the West. In America, the stage has also been set for the imposition of the tyrannical practices of the extremists, but the actors and tactical approach are different.

"The carefully orchestrated and calculated plot to intimidate Shaykh Kabbani into retracting his statements only goes to prove the unwillingness to tolerate differences of opinion and belief; as well as the extent to which they would go to silence the voice of opposition. These organizations have recklessly endangered the lives of our officers and members by unjustly provoking the community against us. We shall hold them personally responsible for any physical, emotional, or psychological damages that may ensue from their irresponsible behavior. " – ISCA General Secretary, Dr. Hedieh Mirahmadi.

The Islamic Supreme Council of America invites the entire Muslim population, US government officials and media representatives to investigate this civil war and conclude for themselves who is really responsible for endangering the security of Muslims in the US.

A DETAILED POINT-BY-POINT RESPONSE TO THE CAIR PRESS RELEASE, THE TRANSCRIPT AND DIGITIZED VIDEO OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OPEN FORUM CAN BE OBTAINED IMMEDIATELY FROM THE ISCA WEBSITE AT http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.org,

The seven organizations who have instigated the vicious attacks and conspired a world-wide campaign against traditional Islam are: American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC), American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslim Council (AMC), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), & Muslim Students Association of USA & Canada (MSA).

The Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA) is an educational organization based in Washington, DC.

http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.org/bin/site/wrappers/default.asp?pane_2=content-extremism_inamerica

Or
http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.org/bin/site/wrappers/default.asp?pane_2=content-extremism_inamerica_unveiling

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