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It has been suggested that this article be merged into Council on American-Islamic Relations and Talk:Council on American-Islamic Relations#Merge proposal. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2008.

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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has received public recognition and endorsement by prominent public figures, including President George W. Bush and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Immediately after the September 11, 2001 attacks, President Bush included CAIR in several public functions. In 2005, Florida Governor Jeb Bush sent a letter of commendation to CAIR, praising it for its "protection of civil rights and freedom of religion" on the occasion of its national banquet.

However, critics like Daniel Pipes claim that high-ranking members of CAIR have taken stances which contradict its self-portrayal as a moderate organization dedicated to civil rights for Muslims. Other have criticized CAIR for allegedly getting funds from sources with ties to terrorism. CAIR denies these cleaims.

Barbara Boxer expresses concern

In 2006 Barbara Boxer withdrew a "certificate of accomplishment" originally given to to Basim Elkarra after learning that Elkarra served as a CAIR official. A Newsweek web exclusive reported that "fter directing her staff to look into CAIR, Boxer expressed concern about some past statements and actions by the group, as well as assertions by some law enforcement officials that it 'gives aid to international terrorist groups'".

Removal of Israeli flag

The city of Gahanna, Ohio, (a suburb of Columbus) flew the Israeli flag from the city flagpole as part of the "Days of Remembrance", a national commemoration of the mass killing of Jews in Europe during World War II. CAIR, along with four other Muslim groups, reportedly convinced the mayor to remove the flag because they see it as "a symbol of the ongoing oppression suffered by Palestinian Christians and Muslims". The Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance consider the act as an example of religious intolerance.

CAIR's disputes with critics

CAIR has been involved in disputes with Steven Emerson, Paul Harvey, Michael Graham and Bill Handel.

Daniel Pipes claims that CAIR co-founder Omar Ahmad reportedly told a crowd of Californian Muslims in July 1998: "Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran ... should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth." Ahmad responded that he had been misquoted, and he requested a retraction from the paper. He further clarified CAIR's views: "I wish to express my commitment to and belief in political and religious pluralism. Since the founding of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in 1994, we have worked tirelessly to preserve the freedoms guaranteed to us by the Constitution." It is also notable that Pipes was responding to claims by CAIR that he was a poor choice for a post in the Bush Administration because of his "anti-Islamic" views.

Investigative journalist Steven Emerson and conservative blogger Michelle Malkin have criticized CAIR for attacking public speakers and celebrities who have criticized Islam.

In 2004, CAIR initiated a lawsuit against Andrew Whitehead, a prominent critic of CAIR and the editor of the Anti-CAIR website. CAIR is suing Whitehead for libel and asking for $1.35 million in damages. Whitehead counter-sued. In April 2006, CAIR's lawsuit was dismissed by the courts.

While CAIR has been active in condemning instances of speech that it claims are unjustly critical of Islam, it has received criticism for being unwilling to condemn terrorist organizations. In regard to its refusal to condemn Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper has said that "it's not our job to go around denouncing" and "we're not in the business of condemning" .

References

1. "American Muslim PAC Endorses George W. Bush for President". 2006-12-17. Archived from the original on 2001-05-05.
2. http://www.americansagainsthate.org/OrlandoLettersCAIR.htm
3. "Urban Legends."
4. Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball (2006-12-29). "CAIR Play?". Newsweek. Retrieved 2006-12-30.
5. Mowbray, Joel (2005-08-18). "CAIR and Michael Graham". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2006-12-17.
6. "California Radio Station, Host Apologize to Muslims; Bill Handel Reprimanded for 'Insensitive Remarks' About Hajj Deaths". U.S. Newswire. 2006-02-08. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
7. http://www.danielpipes.org/394.pdf
8. Melissa Evans, "'98 Fremont forum fuels war of words," Oakland Tribune (6 June 2003).
9. Evans
10. "CAIR's war on conservative radio". 2006-12-17. Archived from the original on 2004-05-04. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 2004-05-05 suggested (help)
11. "The American connections to Islamic Terror". 2006-12-18.
12. "Beach man sued over claims on Web about Muslim group". 2006-12-17. Archived from the original on 2004-09-11.
13. "Preaching violence". 2006-12-17. Archived from the original on 2005-02-07.

External links

• CAIR's Pro-Hamas Origins
• CAIR funding ties to terrorist groups
• The Suspect Ties of CAIR Officials, Fundraisers, and Trainers

Rebuttals

• "Top Internet Disinformation About CAIR", published by CAIR

• Articles to be merged from October 2008
• Articles with topics of unclear notability from October 2008
• Political advocacy groups in the United States
• Religious activism
• Organizations based in the United States
• Non-profit organizations based in Canada
• Civic and political organizations
• Political organizations
• American Islamic organizations
• Advocacy groups
• Criticisms
• Islam-related controversies