CAIR: My first impressions

November 21, 3:33 PMSF Muslim ExaminerDavi Barker

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Often rightwing pundits accuse Muslims of not only following a religion, but a political ideology. They claim that CAIR and similar organizations represent a covert conspiracy of radical Muslims who's only aim is to replace the American republic with a Saudi style tyranny. Further, the purveyors of the new McCarthyism claim that this is to be accomplished under the guise of civil rights. What irony! That the very weapon which will be used to destroy civil rights in America is civil rights itself! Or maybe it's all bollocks. Those anti-Muslim talking heads who peddle this tripe would be surprised to find that the target audience of CAIR's message are Muslims who's political ideology is disappointingly indistinguishable from the American mainstream.

On Sunday, November 15th, I attended the CAIR SFBA 15th Annual Fundrasing Banquet to form my own opinion about the organization. I posit that the best way to know the truth about an organization is to see what they are pitching to their donors. Any non-profit organization, which relies upon the contributions of the donors, is beholden to them, and thus accountable to them for the promises they make. This is the fundamental distinction between the private sector, which is voluntary, and the public sector, which is coercive. If CAIR can't persuade enough public support to raise the capital needed to fund their projects, they shut their doors. So what are they selling?

A table was set up before the entrance to the banquet hall displaying all the latest CAIR literature. The annual civil rights reports from the local and state chapter. Tshirts bearing the CAIR logo above the slogan, "if you don't vote, don't complain." Which I personally find divisive, almost offensive to those who choose not to vote out of principle. A whole series of Know Your Rights brochures catered to various scenarios. Perhaps the most striking thing, the last thing I'd expect to find handed out by a subversive anti-American group, pocket copies of the US constitution.

The banquet hall was reminiscent of fundraising dinners I've seen for political candidates. Bouquets of flowers. Literature from the organization at every table. Superfluous silverware no one really knows when to use. On the stage, a banner and podium for the speakers.

The dinner began with a recitation from the Quran:

If God had so Willed, He would have made you a single community, but He Willed otherwise in order to test you in what He has given you. So compete with one another in good works. To God is your return, and He will inform you of the truth of the matters in which you dispute. 5:48

and

God does not change the condition of a people until they change that which is in their hearts. 13:11

CAIR explained their three objectives, to promote justice, to empower American Muslims, and to enhance understanding. Each of the speakers seemed catered to these objectives.

Their first objective, promoting justice, was championed by guest speaker Dr. Mohammed Rajabally from the North American Islamic Shelter for the Abused (NISA), a battered women's shelter. This objective is pursued through CAIR's Know Your Rights workshops and civil rights Advocacy. Dr. Rajabally solicited donations with simple math. The average case CAIR takes costs $500, which may mean a referral to an attorney, or drafting a press release, or hosting sensitivity training. So, Dr. Rajabally simply asked the donors, how many cases do they want to fund? Clearly, this is one of the things donors are paying for, an organization to facilitate civil rights related cases.

The second objective, to empower American Muslims, was championed by keynote speaker Professor David Cole, a law professor at the Georgetown University Law Center who specializes in constitutional law, among other things. This objective is pursued through CAIR's youth leadership programs, and government relations work. Professor Cole's pitch was simple. Revisit the injustices of the Bush administration, demonstrate the inaction of congress and the courts to reign him in, and argue that is the people, and organizations like CAIR that places the necessary check on government. Although he praised Obama as some new leap foreword, he insisted that the work is not done, and CAIR should be supported to keep pressure on Obama.

The third objective, enhancing understanding, was championed by keynote speaker Dr. Jack Shaheen, professor emeritus of Mass Communication at Southern Illinois University, and author of Reel Bad Arabs. This objective is pursued through CAIR's media relations work and interfaith programs. Dr. Shaheen, both in his speech and his career, focused on the media's unrelenting portrayal of Arabs and Muslims as villains. He emphasized that this type of negative stereotyping, or type casting, has been necessary in every period of history where a specific group is demonized and made to feel less than human.

The theme, "A New Era of Hope," which sounds like either an Obama campaign slogan or an episode of Star Wars, was actually meant to draw attentions to CAIR's renewed focus on American Muslim Youth. This year 40 California Muslim Youth attended a four day conference in Sacramento where they learned the ropes of the political machine. They attended public speaking workshops, media relations training, mock legislative sessions and had the opportunity to meet with lobbyists and legislators to learn what it is that they do. This is what CAIR hopes to do more of moving foreword, facilitate Muslim youth in engaging the political machine.

I personally feel that outside the system activism yields a far greater return on investment than inside the system activism. Further, my view is that the political machine is inherently violent and immoral by design, while a Muslim should strive to be peaceful and virtuous. The political environment has such a corrupting influence on those engaged in it as to preclude people of high principle. This is politics in midstream. One who agrees to throw his hat in the political process rarely, if ever, has opportunity to call into question the true essence of politics. The political machine must ignore the fundamental premise at the root of their arguments, that the system itself is coercive. Muslims should be people who check their premises, and hold to their principles. Far from the allegations against CAIR, that they aim to "Islamisize" America, my concern is they may be far more successful at Americanizing Muslims.

Not all of my questions were answered, but I was invited to the 7th Annual Banquet of the Sacramento chapter, which is tonight. Inshaallah, more to come.