Let's stop this smear campaign against CAIR

Submitted by HQC (United States), May 27, 2006 at 16:55

Hi folks. As someone who used to be on the Board of a CAIR chapter, I can tell you with certainty that after examining financial records, reading everyone's emails from all the chapters every day, attending the retreats where the vision and mission are discussed, etc., I have not seen a trace of anything suspicious or even worthy of criticism. Our chapter had great relationships with the community, politicians, interfaith leaders, etc. and was involved in fantastic outreach, civil rights, and civic activism work. And I know what the other chapters have been involved in similar projects that are very commendable.

I'm sure you must be thinking, of course he'd say that, he was on the Board of CAIR! Not so--although I attend the mosque, I disagree with a lot of the conservative thinking that prevails in the Muslim community today. I do believe that there is some extremism in the community--not 80%, as Sheikh Kabbani suggests, but definitely some, I'm sure (although in all my years running projects at my mosque, I have yet to come across such wackos...so don't ask me, I've never experienced this before). I even left the CAIR Board because of all the unecessary criticism I was being subjected to. ...

Regarding allegations that CAIR is partially funded by the Saudi government--maybe the DC chapter is, but I can say with certainty that our chapter definitely was not. 100% of our donations came from individual donors, which made things all the more difficult financially. Trust me, we had NO government backing us up, otherwise we would have had a lot more $$$.

Regarding the hijab being painted onto that lady--I know her personally, she runs American Muslim Voice, and she has no qualms about that being done. Her organization just had an Open House with CAIR SFBA a couple of weeks ago, so she works with CAIR a lot and has no bone to pick. ...

Regarding CAIR's "unscientific" data--well of course it's unscientific. Since most CAIR chapters don't have more than 3-5 people on their staff, they can hardly afford to hire staticians. Cut them some slack. ...

Regarding CAIR not condemning terrorism ... Just google this--you'll find tons of press releases condemning terrorism every time it happens. I remember CAIR taking out a full page ad in the NY Times (as far as I recall) right after 9/11 condemning the terrorist attacks. Most recently, they took a stand on the Darfur issue. So this allegation is simply a lie. It's contrary to all the facts. I can email you every single press release if you'd like if you don't believe me.

Rearding a few CAIR officials being convicted of terrorism--you have to keep in mind that these same people also worked at or were heavily involved in many other Islamic organizations, because they were just religious zealots and they did nothing else in life. ...

Furthermore, this should not reflect poorly on CAIR. In fact, part of the reason why these people were convicted and why law enforcement attends all the CAIR banquets and are so happy with them, instead of investigating them, is because CAIR cooperated fully with law enforcement after 9/11.

.... If anyone has any REAL questions about CAIR that I can answer, or that I can help get answered, please post a message. In fact, I am willing to send you my chapter's internal reports, financial documents, and anything else you'd like (with some about of editing to protect confidential information like names, etc.). I'm even willing to ask other CAIR chapters for similar information.

Think for yourselves. Be critical. Don't believe anything you read.

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