CAIR At 15...What Do US Muslims Think?

After 9/11, CAIR became a vocal player in the public debate, developing ties with members of Congress and law enforcement authorities to advocate Muslim issues.

The group, established in 1994, has been facing fierce attacks from some media outlets and officials.

IslamOnline.net has talked with Muslims from all walks of life on CAIR’s 15-year journey and what it should do next.

Imam Mahdi Bray  

As a Muslim activist, I was present when CAIR first came to Washington DC.

I remember that Nihad Awad and Ibrahim Hooper had this small office that was not so large. But what they did was extremely large and influenced the whole American Muslim society.

Thus, CAIR began its long journey to seek the freedoms and rights of the American Muslim community.

I think it is important to know that CAIR’s work has not only improved and protected the rights of the American Muslim community; in fact their work has transmitted into protecting the rights and freedoms of all Americans.

One more thing CAIR has achieved is the inspiration it had provided to young American Muslims to be active and to make a better American society.

However, CAIR has unfairly and consistently been targeted by certain negative groups and Islamophobes who spread a lot of misconceptions about it.

Certainly this has false consternation to both the staff and the American Muslim community. 

But CAIR has been able to rise above the propaganda of misrepresentation and smear tactics, and to show the determination not to compromise its religious and political integrity to those who seek to marginalize American Muslims in the public sphere.

PHD, Social Worker

I think the organization is a necessary one. They may have made some significant strides, but I think that they operating at 2 at this point and they should be operating at 7.5.

CAIR has been doing remarkable things but I do expect more.

I think they have been very slow, and very intimidated. Their effort is commendable, but I think the level of assertiveness is a low part.

They have done a great role in disseminating Qur’an and I really appreciate that, because that’s the beginning to give the American people the message from Allah which Americans do not have.

Another great effort CAIR has done is the defense of Muslim women’s right to wear hijab in the workplace.

However, it is not possible that people like Rev. Jesse Jackson can offer guidance to Muslims. I think entering such alliances is a distraction and that just does not take us forward.

Those directions do not take Muslims anywhere.

Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center

CAIR’s journey was more of a baby stuttering and jumping and stumbling and standing again until it became very vocal and expressive in speaking for the US Muslim community.

CAIR in the beginning was kind of seeking its way into the Washington crowd.

But now CAIR is part and parcel that you cannot ignore in the Washington political organization.

I believe CAIR has done a huge service in the past 15 years. Is there a room for improvement? Of course there is always a room for improvement.

One thing for example CAIR was late to recognize is hiring a lot of lawyers to do legal defense of Muslims.

CAIR has been in the media arena for a long time, but it did not result in solving many of the legal issues the community was facing.

But in the past couple of years they started to become legally engaged, they do a lot of work now. They handle currently 2200 cases of Muslims who complain about discrimination.

So I believe that CAIR does have a huge role to play for American Muslim society.

If CAIR is defeated by the negative campaigns that target it, the US community will lose a power horse.

Chef 

Of course I heard about CAIR and even attended some of their activities when I first came to Washington, but I don’t claim to be a big supporter of the organization or even being familiar with their work.

I do know that they are a group that is supposed to defend the rights of Muslims here in the US, but frankly and with all respect to their work, I don’t believe US Muslims really need that.

I am a Muslim of Jordanian origin and America has been my home for 12 years now. I have never come across a single situation that makes me feel degraded or discriminated against just because I am Arab or Muslim.

Even if I had come across such A situation, I would have instantly resorted to the Law. It is the only thing in this country that protects me and defends my rights.

It’s the system and the principles that govern the wider American society that protect my rights, nothing else.

Muslim Alliance in North America

I see CAIR journey was impressive. I celebrate the great work they have done.

During the past 15 years, CAIR did not only grow in Washington DC, but around the country. So people are getting to know about it and that on one hand is good.

But on the other hand, it is a source of caution, because the enemies of Islam are now looking at them as a threat.

It’s like when you come on the radar scene, and everybody sees you, the good people as well as the bad people. People will support you as well as people will undermine you.

I just read the book called the “Muslim Mafia”, and the whole book is really against CAIR.

But that does not worry me, because when you look at the history, a lot of people have given their lives so that African American people be liberated and get justice, and in order to have that they had to pay a price.

CAIR has to pay a price, and we hope it is not too steep and they will do it.

Jina Hassan

Communications Director, Karamah

I personally believe that CAIR, like Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, has made headway in vocalizing the civil rights needs of American Muslims.

I think that CAIR was one of the first organizations here in the US to approach the issues of Muslims civil rights.

They were also the first to approach the media and they did a good job in outreaching and establishing a good relationship with the mainstream American media as a group that speaks for US Muslims.

I do believe they have a quick response in the issues when Muslims need support in civil rights issues.

However, I still believe that though they do approach mainstream media, their work still needs more recognition and they need to work on that. 

Chairman, Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan

Without an organization like CAIR, the Muslim American community will not be able to fight discrimination in their daily interactions -- whether be in workplace, travel, media or business.

CAIR also stands up to bigots, Islamophobes, extremists, hate mongers and violators of civil rights of all Americans.

American democracy and the American civil society are strengthened by CAIR’s taking anti-defamation actions to protect minority rights.

American democratic system is based on participation. CAIR is paving the way for the Muslim Americans to participate in the American Democracy.

Executive Director, Islamic Broadcasting Network (IBN) 

I think they did a great job over the years for the sake of American Muslims. They put al lot of effort in organizing chapters all over the country, and bringing volunteers and organizing their efforts in a systematic way. And they established a very successful system in very short years all over the US.

That took some years, but they became one of the most successful organizations in America. 

However, I really feel it is due time for CAIR and us American Muslims to address the public in America. 

It is good to talk to politicians and other faith groups and that is what CAIR is doing successfully.

But I also think it’s high time to speak to the public at large, we need to be there on a daily basis in a voice that speaks to the public opinion and we have not done that.

And this is where we are failing to really speak to America, we may be speaking to some people, some authorities, but we are not reaching to the hearts and minds of Americans yet.

Understanding Islam and American Muslims is vital for the wellbeing of America. It is crucial for the developing of a better America for everyone.

And that’s where we really need to put our efforts together, CAIR included.