CAIR and FARA

CAIR’s positions about receiving foreign funds have changed over time from flat denials to carefully-worded admissions. They are useful as a comparison to the actual facts and as a comparison to the wording in the FARA law.  In FARA 611 (b) defining a foreign principal, that foreign principal can be “a government of a foreign country and a foreign political party… a person outside of the United States… a partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons organized under the laws of or having its principal place of business in a foreign country…”

We argue that CAIR qualifies under FARA as a foreign agent in part because it has taken cash, loans, pledges of donations and real property from foreign principals.  View all source documents at the above link or view separate categories for Donations, Pledges and Endowments from foreign principals.

CAIR has acted as a foreign agent of the Jeddah, Saudi Arabia-based Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), an association of 57 Islamic states promoting Muslim solidarity in economic, social, and political affairs.  CAIR has also acted as a foreign agent for member states of the OIC, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran and the UAE.  The above link contains a selection of cases in which CAIR has coordinated with such foreign principals and failed to report these interactions as a registered foreign agent to the Department of Justice in contravention of the requirements of FARA.

CAIR has consistently acted in its role as a foreign agent to influence agencies and officials of the United States government.  They have had extensive relationships with law enforcement including numerous education and “sensitivity training” programs on dealing with the Muslim community.  CAIR has also publicly censured and criticized government representatives and officials who have expressed opposition to their OIC-inspired activities in the United States.  CAIR has intimidated corporations who violate OIC-approved conduct regarding Muslim employees and customers.  By means of lawsuits and threats of lawsuits, boycotts and threats of boycotts, letter-writing campaigns, and other tactics they have chilled open debate about Sharia-compliance.  CAIR has also participated in various media campaigns to influence US public opinion on behalf of foreign principals.