The Center for Security Policy created the CAIR Observatory in March 2010 to publicly present the case against CAIR as an unregistered foreign agent and to serve as a clearing house for CAIR-related documents and information.\u00a0 The following month we began applying the principles of the CAIR Observatory in real-time.\u00a0 As cases of CAIR influence operations involving government officials, candidates and other prominent Americans came to light, the Center for Security Policy sent letters from our President and CEO Frank Gaffney to the parties involved, warning them of CAIR’s possible foreign agent status and that they may have been a target of an illegal influence operation.<\/p>\n
Date: <\/strong>October 9, 2010<\/p>\n (Dowload Event Program (4MB PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n Foreign Delegation Attendees:<\/strong><\/p>\n The League of Arab States<\/p>\n Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman<\/p>\n Embassy of Sudan<\/p>\n Embassy of the State of Qatar<\/p>\n Embassy of the United Arab Emirates<\/p>\n Congressional Endorsements:<\/strong><\/p>\n Rep. Michael Honda (D-CA)<\/p>\n Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)<\/p>\n Rep. James Moran (D-VA)<\/p>\n Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD)<\/p>\n Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN)<\/p>\n Rep. Barbara Lee\u00a0 (D-CA)<\/p>\n Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN)<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n On October 29 the Center for Security Policy sent letters to the seven members of Congress who endorsed the event alerting them to CAIR\u2019s alleged foreign agent status and that CAIR’s soliciting of their endorsement may have been a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.\u00a0 Below are links to text and PDF copies of those letters:<\/p>\n Center for Security Letter to Andre Carson<\/a><\/p>\n A copy of each letter was also sent to Bureau Chief Heather Hunt of the Foreign Agents Registration Unit at the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n On October 18 on the Fox News program \u201cThe O\u2019Reilly Factor,\u201d Fox News contributor and former NPR employee Juan Williams stated \u201cI get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.”<\/p>\n Two days later on October 20, CAIR issued a press release calling on NPR to take action against Williams. CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad called Williams\u2019 comments \u201cirresponsible and inflammatory\u201d and complained that \u201cmedia commentators who launch rhetorical attacks on Islam and Muslims normally do not suffer the professional consequences.\u201d\u00a0 CAIR\u2019s Awad called on NPR to \u201caddress\u201d Williams\u2019 statements.\u00a0 NPR publicly announced the termination of Williams\u2019 contract the following day, October 21.<\/p>\n On October 21 the Center for Security Policy alerted five parties involved in this influence operation to CAIR’s alleged foreign agent status via email: Juan Williams; Vivian Schiller, President and CEO, NPR; Roger Ailes, President, Fox News Channel; Bill O\u2019Reilly, Fox News Channel; and the Inspector General of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Center for Security Policy issued a press release<\/a> on the evening of October 21 informing the public that these five parties had been warned and providing a background of CAIR’s alleged violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).<\/p>\n The next day, October 22, the Center sent formal letters to each of the five parties providing them with more background on CAIR’s apparent violations and asking that they request a Department of Justice investigation into CAIR\u2019s violation of the FARA code:<\/p>\n A copy of each letter was also sent to Bureau Chief Heather Hunt of the Foreign Agents Registration Unit at the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n At a tea party rally, Nevada Senate nominee Sharron Angle addressed the controversy over sharia law and stated that \u201c[i]t seems to me there is something fundamentally wrong with allowing a foreign system of law to even take hold in any municipality or government situation in our United States.\u201d CAIR Spokesman Ibrahim Hooper called Angle\u2019s statements \u201cbizarre.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis seems to be an example of incoherent bigotry. It is pretty clear that she has something against Islam and Muslims but she is so incoherent you don\u2019t know what she stands for,\u201d Hooper said. \u201cThe proper response would have been, \u2018American Muslims are citizens like anyone else. They are free to practice their faith,\u2019 not seeming to agree that Muslims are somehow seeking to take over.\u201d<\/p>\n We believe that this specific act to influence a possible U.S. Senator meets the definition of a political influence operation under the terms of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n On October 13 the Center for Security Policy sent a letter <\/a>to Sharron Angle alerting her to CAIR\u2019s unregistered foreign agent status and asking that she requests a Department of Justice investigation into CAIR\u2019s violation of the FARA code.\u00a0 A copy of the letter was also sent to Bureau Chief Heather Hunt of the Foreign Agents Registration Unit at the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n In a letter dated September 8, 2010, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad urged USMC Gen. James Mattis to intervene in the case of Pastor Terry Jones\u2019 plan to burn Qurans on September 11.\u00a0 In the letter, Nihad Awad depicted the Quran burning event as a national security concern for the United States and, therefore, requests Gen. Mattis help in preventing\u00a0 \u201cthis counterproductive and divisive event from complicating our relations with the Muslim world\u201d<\/p>\n We believe that this specific act to influence a General of the United States Marine Corps meets the definition of a political influence operation under the terms of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n On September 27 the Center for Security Policy sent a letter <\/a>to General James Mattis alerting him to CAIR\u2019s unregistered foreign agent status and asking that he request a Department of Justice investigation into CAIR\u2019s violation of the FARA code.\u00a0 A copy of the letter was also sent to Bureau Chief Heather Hunt of the Foreign Agents Registration Unit at the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n In an August 9, 2010 press release CAIR demanded that Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota retract his statement in opposition to the planned Ground Zero Mosque in New York City.\u00a0 \u201cOur governor has engaged in collective guilt by saying that all Muslim activities and images anywhere near Ground Zero are degrading and disrespectful,\u201d said CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director Taneeza Islam.\u00a0 \u201cAll Americans, including Muslims, should seek to help heal our society and avoid statements that create division or distrust.\u201d<\/p>\n We believe that this specific act to influence the sitting Governor of Minnesota meets the definition of a political influence operation under the terms of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n On August 11 the Center for Security Policy sent a letter<\/a> to Governor Tim Pawlenty alerting him to CAIR\u2019s unregistered foreign agent status and asking that he request a Department of Justice investigation into CAIR\u2019s violation of the FARA code.\u00a0 A copy of the letter was also sent to Bureau Chief Heather Hunt of the Foreign Agents Registration Unit at the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n A CAIR press release called upon FBI Norfolk and the Tidewater Joint Terrorism Task Force (TJTTF) \u201cexplain\u201d why Robert Spencer \u2013\u00a0 whom they described as \u201ca leader of an anti-Islam hate group\u201d \u2013\u00a0 was invited to offer training to state and federal law enforcement officers.\u00a0 \u201cOur nation\u2019s law enforcement personnel should not receive training from the head of a hate group that seeks to demonize Islam and to prevent American Muslims from exercising their rights as citizens,\u201d said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.<\/p>\n Spencer, a respected author, blogger, Islam expert and co-founder of Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA) stated in a blog post that he \u201cgave two two-hour seminars on the belief-system of Islamic jihadists to the Tidewater Joint Terrorism Task Force.\u201d<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n On July 27th\u00a0the Center for Security Policy sent a letter to\u00a0FBI Agent Alex Turner <\/a>concerning CAIR\u2019s unregistered foreign agent status. The letter identified CAIR\u2019s urging\u00a0of the organization\u00a0to \u201cexplain\u201d its recent actions as a foreign influence operation.\u00a0 A copy of the letter was also sent to Bureau Chief Heather Hunt of the Foreign Agents Registration Unit at the Department of Justice. A similar letter was also sent to Robert Spencer<\/a>.<\/p>\n Just four days after asking\u00a0 a Florida tea party group to drop<\/a> ACT! for American founder Brigitte Gabriel as their keynote speaker for an August event, CAIR launched an aggressive press release against GOP Senate Candidate Marco Rubio, who was invited to the event but had not yet confirmed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe ask Mr. Rubio not to lend legitimacy to this hate rally and to demonstrate through his actions that the Republican Party will not seek to benefit from the rising level of Islamophobia in our society,\u201d said CAIR-Tampa Communications Director Ramzy Kili\u00e7. \u201cSince the rally organizers obviously believe a hate-monger is an appropriate keynote speaker, we ask all the elected officials and candidates listed on the event flyer to cancel their appearances.\u201d<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n On July 22 the Center for Security Policy sent a letter to Marco Rubio<\/a> concerning CAIR\u2019s unregistered foreign agent status and identifying CAIR\u2019s urging of Mr. Rubio cancel his participation in the tea party event as a\u00a0 foreign influence operation. Another letter was sent to Brigitte Gabriel<\/a>, speaker and founder of ACT! for America, alerting her that CAIR’s statements on ACT! for America may be parrt of an illegal political influence operation. Copies of the letters were also sent to Bureau Chief Heather Hunt of the Foreign Agents Registration Unit at the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n As a response, Guy Rodgers, Executive Director of ACT! for America, also sent a letter<\/a> to to Bureau Chief Heather Hunt of the Foreign Agents Registration Unit at the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n On June 25, CAIR called on Republican Party leaders to repudiate \u201cIslamophobic\u201d remarks by Tennessee GOP congressional candidate Lou Ann Zelenik who opposes the construction of a new mega-mosque complex in Murfreesboro, TN.<\/p>\n \u201cState and national Republican leaders must repudiate Ms. Zelenik\u2019s extremist and un-American remarks and address the growing perception that their party promotes Islamophobia and intolerance against minorities,\u201d said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.<\/p>\n On July 15, 2010, CAIR leaders joined the NAACP in criticizing the Tea Party Movement for failing to \u201crepudiate elements within the movement who use racist or bigoted language.\u201d\u00a0 CAIR Director of Communications, Ibrahim Hooper said, \u201cIf the Tea Party wishes to be taken seriously by mainstream Americans, it must repudiate all those who express or promote extremist, racist or bigoted views while claiming to be affiliated with the movement.\u201d<\/p>\n Hooper made clear that \u201cIslamophobic\u201d elements should be included in the condemnation. \u00a0 He went on to specifically name a number of\u00a0these \u2018Islamophobic\u2019 perpetrators inncluding former congressman Tom Tancredo and Tennessee congressional candidate Lou Ann Zelenik.<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n On June 16 the Center for Security Policy sent a letter<\/a> to\u00a0Tenessee congressional candidate, Lou Ann Zelenik,\u00a0concerning CAIR\u2019s unregistered foreign agent status. The letter identified that by\u00a0openly denouncing \u00a0Zelenik and attempting to tarnish her standing with Republican Party leaders,\u00a0CAIR\u2019s actions\u00a0constitute a foreign influence operation.\u00a0 A copy of the letter was also sent to Bureau Chief Heather Hunt of the Foreign Agents Registration Unit at the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n On June 14 CAIR-New York accused Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who faces reelection in November, of making statements that were \u201cunconscionable, reprehensible and in blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life,\u201d and demanded he retract them. CAIR lifted a quote from Schumer\u2019s remarks at a public event on June 9 that it \u201cmakes sense\u201d to \u201cstrangle [Gaza] economically,\u201d while omitting the context of the statement in which Schumer made clear that his criticism was reserved for the Hamas regime and that \u201ccertainly there should be humanitarian aid and people not starving to death.\u201d\u00a0 The full quote follows:<\/p>\n The boycott of Gaza to me has another purpose \u2014 obviously the first purpose is to prevent Hamas from getting weapons by which they will use to hurt Israel \u2014 but the second is actually to show the Palestinians that when there\u2019s some moderation and cooperation, they can have an economic advancement. When there\u2019s total war against Israel, which Hamas wages, they\u2019re going to get nowhere. And to me, since the Palestinians in Gaza elected Hamas, while certainly there should be humanitarian aid and people not starving to death, to strangle them economically until they see that\u2019s not the way to go, makes sense.<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n On March 23, 2010 CAIR called for a probe of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) to investigate a report of \u201canti-Islam bias\u201d in the NCIS\u2019s training of security personnel.\u00a0 CAIR had received a report that an NCIS surveillance detection course included the viewing of the movie \u201cObsession,\u201d which CAIR terms a \u201cpropagandistic anti-Islam film\u201d featuring \u201cIslamophobes.\u201d<\/p>\n CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote a letter to NCIS Director Mark D. Clookie stating: \u201cNCIS has an important role to play in securing our nation and can best carry out that role when its actions are based on accurate and balanced information, not on religious or ethnic stereotyping.\u201d\u00a0 Awad requested an investigation \u201cto ensure that our nation\u2019s security personnel are receiving training that is free of political or religious agendas.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n On May 11, 2010 a CAIR press release announced that the NCIS had acknowledged that the film \u201cshould not have been used in training,\u201d citing a May 7 letter from NCIS Director Clookie to Nihad Awad.\u00a0 CAIR concluded the release by expressing concern that \u201cmilitary, security and law enforcement personnel nationwide may be receiving agenda-driven Islamophobic training<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n On April 26 CAIR issued a press release<\/a> urging congressional sponsors to disinvite Rev. Franklin Graham from the National Day of Prayer event scheduled for May 6, 2010 at the Cannon House Office Building.\u00a0 CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor referred to Graham as an \u201cIslamophobe\u201d bringing a \u201cmessage of religious intolerance.\u201d<\/p>\n On April 22 CAIR issued an action alert<\/a> urging the Pentagon to disinvite speaker Rev. Franklin Graham from a special day of prayer.\u00a0 CAIR urged the public to contact the Pentagon\u2019s public affairs office to express concerns about \u201ca person with such Islamophobic views speaking to military personnel.\u201d\u00a0 On the same day Rev. Graham announced that he had indeed been disinvited by the army.\u00a0 CAIR applauded<\/a> the decision.<\/p>\n Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) called for hearings<\/a> into the Pentagon\u2019s \u201cpolitically correct\u201d decision on this matter.<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n CAIR called on the organizers of the inaugural Tennessee Tea Party Convention to disinvite blogger and Executive Director of Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) Pamela Geller from speaking at the event.\u00a0 CAIR described Geller as an \u201cextremist anti-Islam speaker, far-right blogger\u201d and called SIOA a \u201chate group.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe ask that convention organizers not legitimize Geller\u2019s extremist anti-Muslim rhetoric by offering her an official platform,\u201d said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.<\/p>\n Awad also called on Rep. Steve King (R-IA) to cancel his scheduled keynote address to the convention if Geller was kept on the schedule.<\/p>\n The Tea Party refused CAIR\u2019s demands and both Geller and King spoke as planned.<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Connecticut\u00a0 chapter of CAIR called on state Republican leaders to repudiate statements made by congressional candidate Rick Torres during a GOP primary debate.<\/p>\n CAIR\u2019s press release described Torres\u2019 remarks as \u201cracist,\u201d \u201canti-Muslim,\u201d \u201cintolerant,\u201d and \u201cIslamophobic.\u201d\u00a0 CAIR also attributed a May 10, 2010 bomb attack on a Florida\u00a0 mosque to a \u201cgrowing atmosphere of anti-Muslim sentiment nationwide that results from Islamophobic statements like those made by Torres.\u201d<\/p>\n Actions: <\/strong><\/p>\n Description:<\/strong><\/p>\n CAIR called on national Republican leaders to repudiate campaign advertisements released by Dan Fanelli, a Florida GOP Republican candidate for Congress. CAIR said the ads \u201cadvocate racial profiling and promote Islamophobia.\u201d CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kili\u00e7 called the ads \u201covert racism.\u201d CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor called the ads \u201coutrageously racist and Islamophobic\u201d and called on local, state and national GOP leaders to condemn \u201csuch racist and un-American campaign tactics.\u201d<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n Former CAIR Board Chairman (2005-2008) Parvez Ahmed was nominated to the Jacksonville (FL) Human Rights Commission by Mayor John Peyton.\u00a0 On April 5 the city council Rules Committee recommended him for approval.\u00a0 On April 16, responding to information on Ahmed provided by ACT for America, the Florida Security Council, Former Muslims United and others, the Jacksonville City Council voted 13-5 to refer the appointment back to the council Rules Committee. The Rules Committee approved the nomination again on April 19, this time by a vote of 4-1 with Councilman Clay Yarborough dissenting.<\/p>\n Actions: <\/strong><\/p>\n On April 5 CAIR issued a press release<\/a> urging GOP leaders to \u201cinsist\u201d that Congresswoman Sue Myrick (R-NC) withdraw support from the non-profit grassroots advocacy organization ACT! for America.\u00a0 CAIR referred to ACT! for America, the largest national security citizens organization in the United States, as an \u201canti-Islam hate group.\u201d<\/p>\n On April 13 CAIR-Tampa echoed the CAIR national office message\u00a0 with this action alert<\/a> and directed readers to a petition<\/a> calling for 5,000 signatures condemning the GOP and Myrick for associating with ACT! for America.\u00a0 CAIR enlisted Reverend Wilifred Allen-Faiella of St. Stephen\u2019s Episcopal Church in Coconut Grove, FL to provide \u201cinterfaith\u201d credibility for their attack.<\/p>\n Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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Case #15: CAIR calls for NPR action against Juan Williams for \u201cirresponsible and inflammatory\u201d comments about Muslims<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Case #14:\u00a0 Hooper claims that Nevada Senate nominee Sharron Angle \u201chas something against Islam and Muslims\u201c<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
September 2010<\/h2>\n
Case #13: CAIR requests Central Command General to personally visit controversial Pastor<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
August 2010<\/h2>\n
Case #12: <\/strong>CAIR asks MN Gov. Pawlenty to \u201cretract\u201d comments against Ground Zero Mosque<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
July 2010<\/h2>\n
Case #11:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> CAIR protests \u201cIslamophobic\u201d training for Virginia terrorism task force<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Case #10:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> CAIR warns Marco Rubio away from tea party event; tells Rubio not to \u201clend legitimacy to this hate rally\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Case #9:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> CAIR condemns the Tea Party movement<\/a> and asks GOP leadership to repudiate Tennessee congressional candidate<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
June 2010<\/h2>\n
Case #8:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> CAIR-NY urges Sen. Schumer to retract statement against Hamas<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Case #7:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> CAIR claims victory in Navy law-enforcement agency \u201cIslamophobia\u201d case<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Case #6:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> CAIR Asks Members of Congress<\/a> and Pentagon officials<\/a> to Disinvite Franklin Graham from Day of Prayer<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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May 2010<\/h2>\n
Case #5: <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>CAIR asks Tennessee Tea Party to drop \u201canti-Islam speaker\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Case #4:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> CAIR calls on Connecticut GOP to repudiate candidate\u2019s \u201cIslamophobic\u201d comments<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Case #3:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> CAIR Asks GOP to Repudiate \u201cIslamophobic\u201d Florida Ads<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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April 2010<\/h2>\n
Case #2:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> Parvez Ahmed nominated to Jacksonville Human Rights Commission<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Case #1:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> CAIR Smears Rep. Sue Myrick and ACT for America<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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