In virtually all of the local news coverage of the various “Muslim Day” events sponsored nationwide by the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), we do not get a good description of what it is exactly that CAIR wants. When we do, in places such as Kentucky, the participants are concerned about issues such as restoring voting rights to felons who have served their time.
In this case from Ohio, we can see from the camera angle that CAIR is seeking “safe spaces” for students and teachers. That probably means prayer rooms and foot baths.
These “Muslim Day” events are also apparently where CAIR and lawmakers agree upon the parameters of acceptable speech concerning Muslims, such as designating the use of the term “terrorist” to be a hate crime when it is applied to Muslims.
We know that one of the main purposes of these “Muslim Day” events is to impress lawmakers with CAIR’s ability to draw a crowd. Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to think CAIR speaks for “the Muslims.”
A 2011 Gallup poll found that only 12% of American Muslims think CAIR represents them.
In June 2007, the Washington Times reported that CAIR’s membership had plummeted 90 percent since 2001.
CAIR represents itself, its membership, and its donors. That number may be as low as 3,000 people.
In June 2021, CAIR held a march sponsored by over 130 different organizations. Only about 1,000 people showed up.
And here is another example of CAIR being unable to attract the interest of the Muslim community, or of anyone else besides the media.
CAIR is not “the Muslims.” It is an amateurish, self-promoting organization that harasses Muslim women at work. This is not going to ingratiate them with anybody.
Just ask Lori Soraya, co-founder of CAIR in Minnesota. She left CAIR, she says, after Nihad Awad harassed her at work.
Mr. Awad asked Ms. Saroya to meet him in the hotel lobby at midnight. When she complied, he said to her with a smile “Do you know that [other CAIR employees] think there is something going on between us?”
Soraya is now retweeting Rabia Chaudry, who is furious that CAIR is taking credit for Chaudry’s work in freeing Adnan Syed, something with which CAIR had absolutely nothing to do.
It is safe to assume that the powers that be, the media, and credulous politicians are hoping that CAIR will survive long enough to realize its ambitions of becoming a branch of the federal government, or an entity wielding comparable power.
“CAIR Ohio holds 4th annual Statehouse advocacy event, calls on legislators for change,” by Jamilah Muhammad, Spectrum News 1, September 27, 2022:
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations is hoping to create a more positive American Islamic relationship.
For many, religion has been the root for change both in Ohio and abroad.
Mahsa Amini, 22, was apprehended by Iran’s morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly. After being taken to the hospital, she was later pronounced dead.
Communities in Iran and abroad have come together to speak up and demand change.
“We always stand with folks who are speaking up against oppression, speak up against tyranny and we’re lucky enough that we live in the United States, in which those freedoms are upheld,” said Amina Burhumi, the acting executive director for CAIR Ohio.
While Muslims in Iran continue to fight repression, Muslims in Ohio are fighting against oppressive laws and policies. CAIR Ohio brought dozens of Muslims together on Tuesday to learn about existing bills like House Bill 353 which addresses excused religious absences for state colleges and universities….
“There are laws and institutional injustices that happen and it’s our responsibility to speak up against it and so that’s why we’re here today,” said Burhumi.
CAIR Ohio is also asking for extended policies in tandem with Ohio’s anti-bullying law with the goal to protect Muslims from being discriminated against or ridiculed for religious or cultural practices. For a full view of CAIR Ohio’s mission, click here.
