Barbara Boxer U.S. Senator (D-California) "After directing her staff to look into CAIR, Boxer 'expressed concern' about some past statements and actions by the group, as well as assertions by some law enforcement officials that it 'gives aid to international terrorist groups,' according to Natalie Ravitz, the senator's press spokeswoman... After review by her staff, Boxer was particularly concerned by claims that CAIR had refused to condemn Hamas and Hizbullah and recognize those groups as terrorist organizations,' Ravitz said." (Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball, Newsweek, 'CAIR Play?' December 29, 2006) "Last November, the head of the local chapter of a Muslim American civil rights group was honored by Sen. Barbara Boxer with a certificate 'in recognition of (his) outstanding service'... But Boxer -- who said Wednesday that her staff made the award in her name without her knowledge -- has rescinded it because of her 'concerns' about CAIR... 'We made a bad mistake not researching the organization,' Boxer told The Bee. 'My organization created this problem -- I caused people grief, and I feel terrible, yet I need to set the record straight and I'm setting the record straight'... Boxer said her staff came up with 'a whole laundry list of things,' including what she said was CAIR's unwillingness to condemn Osama bin Laden by name or condemn the Palestinian organization Hamas. She added, 'several of them (CAIR officials) have been indicted.' (Stephen Magagnini and David Whitney, Sacremento Bee, Boxer pulls Muslim award' January 4, 2007) "Sen. Barbara Boxer has rescinded an award her office gave to a Sacramento Islamic activist after criticism that the group he represents - the Council on American-Islamic Relations - holds extremist views and has ties to international terrorist organizations. 'I'm saying the four words that every elected official hates to say: I made a mistake,' the California Democrat said in a telephone interview Friday. 'I hope they won't believe that I did this to hurt the Muslim community... We just have to be more careful when we reach out'... Boxer, who said she was unaware of the initial decision by her office to honor [CAIR-Sacramento Executive Director Basim] Elkarra, said independent research by her office later revealed troubling information about the organization. 'It's the volume of things, not any one thing,' she said. 'There's a long list.' That list includes several individual council members who have been indicted on terrorism-related charges, as well as harsh criticism of the organization by some of Boxer's congressional colleagues." (Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times, 'Sen. Boxer rescinds award to Islamic activist' January 6, 2007)

Major Stephen Coughlin Former Islamic Expert for the Joint Chiefs of Staff "Unnamed Pentagon sources told [Washington Times national security correspondent Bill] Gertz that the latter [Hasham Islam], employed by the deputy secretary [Gordon England] to help with Muslim outreach, 'confronted Mr. Coughlin during a meeting several weeks ago when Mr. Islam sought to have Mr. Coughlin soften his views on Islamist extremism.' At issue evidently was Maj. Coughlin's fastidious chronicling of the true nature and activities of organizations such as the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). In briefings prepared for the U.S. military, he had concluded that ISNA is one of a number of front organizations for the Muslim Brotherhood..." (Frank J. Gaffney Jr., The Washington Times, 'A Purple Heart in war of ideas?' January 8, 2008)

Dick Durbin U.S. Senator (D-Illinois) "[CAIR is] unusual in its extreme rhetoric and its associations with groups that are suspect." (statement by U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security, 'Two Years After 9/11: Connecting the Dots,' September 10, 2003)

Diane Feinstein U.S. Senator (D-California) "Muslim chaplaincy program has come recently under direct attacks, spearheaded by two important senators, Charles Schumer and Dianne Feinstein, who demanded, under insinuations by anti-Muslim groups, that Muslim chaplain endorsement be withdrawn from ISNA." (Louay Safi, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), 'The American Muslim Community and the Challenge of Leadership,' September 16, 2004) "Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, said a member of the board of the Islamic Society [Siraj Wahhaj] had been listed by the F.B.I. as a possible unindicted conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing." (The New York Times, 'Groups Lose Sole Authority On Chaplains For Muslims,' October 15, 2003)

Rudolph Giuliani Former Mayor of New York 'Giuliani rejects $10 million from Saudi prince,' October 12, 2001: NEW YORK (CNN) -- Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Thursday the city would not accept a $10 million donation for disaster relief from Saudi Prince [and CAIR Financier] Alwaleed bin Talal after the prince suggested U.S. policies in the Middle East contributed to the September 11 attacks. "I entirely reject that statement," Giuliani said. "There is no moral equivalent for this [terrorist] act. There is no justification for it. The people who did it lost any right to ask for justification for it when they slaughtered 4,000 or 5,000 innocent people." Prince Alwaleed gave the mayor a check after a Thursday morning memorial service at Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center towers destroyed in the attacks. The prince offered his condolences to the people of New York, but after the ceremony he released a statement suggesting the United States "must address some of the issues that led to such a criminal attack." "The check has not been deposited. The Twin Towers Fund has not accepted it," Giuliani said in a statement late Thursday. The prince's statement said the United States "should re-examine its policies in the Middle East and adopt a more balanced stand toward the Palestinian cause. "While the U.N. passed clear resolutions numbered 242 and 338 calling for the Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza Strip decades ago, our Palestinian brethren continue to be slaughtered at the hands of Israelis while the world turns the other cheek," the statement said. Giuliani flatly rejected the prince's position. "To suggest that there's a justification for [the terrorist attacks] only invites this happening in the future," he said. "It is highly irresponsible and very, very dangerous. "And one of the reasons I think this happened is because people were engaged in moral equivalency in not understanding the difference between liberal democracies like the United States, like Israel, and terrorist states and those who condone terrorism. "So I think not only are those statements wrong, they're part of the problem," Giuliani said.

Charles Grassley U.S. Senator (R-Iowa) 14 January 2004 Senators Request Tax Information on Muslim Charities for Probe Possible links between charities, terrorist groups investigated The Senate Finance Committee has asked the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for its records on more than two-dozen Muslim charities and organizations as part of an investigation into possible links between nongovernmental organizations and terrorist financing networks. "Many of these groups not only enjoy tax-exempt status, but their reputations as charities and foundations often allows them to escape scrutiny, making it easier to hide and move their funds to other groups and individuals who threaten our national security," Committee Chairman Charles Grassley and ranking Democrat Max Baucus said in a December 22 letter to the IRS, the United States' federal tax-collection agency. The letter, which was made public in a January 14 Finance Committee news release, includes requests for the organizations' tax returns, donor lists, applications for tax-exempt status, and all materials from examinations, audits and criminal investigations. An attachment to the letter names 25 specific organizations, including Global Relief Foundation, Benevolence International Foundation, Islamic Association for Palestine and the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development. The senators additionally ask for IRS information on all charities, foundations and tax-exempt organizations that have been designated since September 11, 2001 as having links to terrorist networks by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Grassley and Baucus asked the IRS to deliver the requested information to the Senate by February 20. The senators said their request was based on the Finance Committee's status as having "exclusive jurisdiction" in the Senate over tax matters. Following is the text of the Finance Committee release: Senate Committee on Finance Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 Records Sought About Tax-exempt Organizations for Committee's Terror Finance Probe WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, and Sen. Max Baucus, ranking member, have asked for information about tax-exempt organizations in connection with a committee investigation into terrorism financing. The Committee on Finance has jurisdiction over tax matters in the Senate. A copy of the letter follows here. December 22, 2003 The Honorable Mark Everson Commissioner Internal Revenue Service 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20224 Via mail and telefax (202) 622-4733 Dear Commissioner Everson: The purpose of this letter is to inquire about and conduct oversight on the issue of organizations, particularly tax-exempt organizations such as charities and foundations, which finance terrorism and perpetuate violence. Many of these groups not only enjoy tax-exempt status, but their reputations as charities and foundations often allows them to escape scrutiny, making it easier to hide and move their funds to other groups and individuals who threaten our national security. This support for the machinery of terrorism not only violates the law and tax regulations, but it violates the trust that citizens have in the large majority of charities, foundations and other groups that do good works in the United States. Government officials, investigations by federal agencies and the Congress, and other reports have identified the crucial role that charities and foundations play in terror financing. While much attention has been paid to where their money ends up, the source of their funds is equally important. Often these groups are nothing more than shell companies for the same small group of people, moving funds from one charity to the next charity to hide the trail. These groups also receive donations from foreign sources, including countries the government has identified as having a significant problem with terrorism. The federal government and the Congress have identified several countries -- some of which, ostensibly, are our allies -- particularly in the Middle East, as a primary source of funds for charities and foundations that are under investigation or have fallen under suspicion for terrorist financing. The Senate Finance Committee retains exclusive jurisdiction over tax matters in the Senate. We have a responsibility to carry out oversight to ensure charities, foundations and other groups are abiding by the laws and regulations, to examine their source of funds, and to ensure government agencies, including the IRS, are policing them and enforcing the law efficiently and effectively. We ask that you provide copies of all IRS materials -- including information protected by Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code -- for the attached list of charities, foundations, other tax exempt organizations, and other groups. The material should include Form 990s and Form 990 PFs, including the donors list for both types; Form 1023s, the charities' applications for tax exempt status, and any and all materials from examinations, audits and other investigations, including criminal investigations. Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 6103(f)(4), Chairman Grassley hereby authorizes the following Finance Committee staff -- Dean Zerbe, John Drake, Pat Heck and Matt Stokes -- to review this information. We would appreciate receiving this material no later than Friday, February 20, 2004. Please have IRS officials contact our staff to arrange the details of delivery. We thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Charles E. Grassley Chairman Max Baucus Ranking Member Attachment Charities, Foundations, Other Tax-Exempt Organizations, and Other Groups All charities, foundations and tax-exempt organizations, groups or entities who have been designated or listed by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) from September 11, 2001 to today. The SAAR Foundation and all members and related entities Global Relief Foundation (GRF) Benevolence International Foundation (BIF) Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA) Muslim Student Association Islamic Association for Palestine Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) Muslim World League International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) or Internal Relief Organization(IRO) Al Haramain Foundation Alavi Foundation Institute of Islamic and Arabic Science in America (IIASA) Islamic Assembly of North American Help the Needy Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Islamic Foundation of America United Association for Studies and Research (USAR) Solidarity International and/or Solidarity USA Kind Hearts Islamic American Relief Agency and/or Islamic African Relief Agency Islamic Society of North America International Islamic Relief Organization World Assembly of Muslim Youth Rabita Trust Human Appeal International Some of the charities, foundations, other tax-exempt organizations or groups listed above may be included in the first category of entities listed or designated by OFAC. You do not need to provide duplicate records for these entities. (end text) (Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Jeb Hensarling U.S. Representative (R-Texas) "Despite numerous opportunities, CAIR has repeatedly refused to condemn terrorist action by groups like Hamas and Hezbollah." (statement by U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, The Hill, "House GOP condemns Muslim group's meeting in the Capitol," March 13, 2007) "Our past head of counterterrorism at the FBI has said this is a group that has helped support and give aid to terrorist groups. At least five of their former members and board member have either been arrested, convicted or deported for terrorist activities... [CAIR] has known links to Hamas, known links to terrorism... They've raised money for Hamas." (statement by U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Fox News Channel, 'Your World with Neil Cavuto,' March 13, 2007)

Peter Hoekstra U.S. Representative (R-Michigan) 'Republicans slam Islamic Society convention,' August 30, 2007: (The Washington Times) -- Republican lawmakers are urging the Justice Department not to participate in a convention held by the Islamic Society of North America -- a group named as an unindicted co-conspirator in an ongoing terrorism-financing case. In a letter to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, Reps. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Sue Myrick of North Carolina called the Justice Department's involvement a "grave mistake." "In light of the threat that our nation is currently facing from radical jihadists, and because of the president's commitment to fighting the war on terror on all fronts, we believe it is a grave mistake to provide legitimacy to an organization with extremist origins, leadership and a radical agenda," the lawmakers said. Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said he agrees that Justice officials should not attend the conference. "It is absolute insanity for the federal government, especially the Department of Justice, to be giving any credibility at all to a group like the ISNA, which has such strong links to Islamic extremism," Mr. King said. Justice Department spokesman Erik Ablin said in an e-mail that the department has "received the letter, and we will respond to Reps. Hoekstra and Myrick." He went on to note that the Civil Rights Division and other government agencies -- including military recruiters -- frequently attend the convention "as part of its outreach and education efforts."

Peter King U.S. Representative (R-New York) "House votes to protect 'John Does' on flights," March 27, 2007: (The Washington Times) -- House Republicans tonight surprised Democrats with a procedural vote to protect public-transportation passengers from being sued if they report suspicious activity -- the first step by lawmakers to protect "John Doe" airline travelers already targeted in such a lawsuit. After a heated debate and calls for order, the motion to recommit the Democrats' Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 back to committee with instructions to add the protective language passed on a vote of 304-121. Republicans said the lawsuit filed by six Muslim imams [with legal representation from CAIR] against US Airways and "John Does," passengers who reported suspicious behavior, could have a "chilling effect" on passengers who may fear being sued for acting vigilant. Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, offered the motion saying all Americans -- airline passengers included -- must be protected from lawsuits if they report suspicious behavior that may foreshadow a terrorist attack. "All of our lives changed after September 11, and one of the most important things we have done is ask local citizens to do what they can to avoid another terrorist attack, if you see something, say something," said Mr. King. "We have to stand by our people and report suspicious activity," he said. "I cannot imagine anyone would be opposed to this." Mr. King called it a "disgrace" that the suit seeks to identify "people who acted out of good faith and reported what they thought was suspicious activity." Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, opposed the motion over loud objections from colleagues on the House floor, forcing several calls to order from the chair. "Absolutely they should have the ability to seek redress in a court of law," said Mr. Thompson, who suggested that protecting passengers from a lawsuit would encourage racial profiling. "This might be well-intended, but it has unintended consequences," Mr. Thompson said, before he accepted the motion to recommit. The motion to recommit was based on a bill introduced last week by Rep. Steve Pearce, New Mexico Republican, to protect "John Does" or passengers targeted in a lawsuit filed by six Muslim imams earlier this month in Minneapolis. Mr. Pearce said the imams are "using courts to terrorize Americans." "If we allow this lawsuit to go forward it will have a chilling effect," Mr. Pearce said. A Republican memo issued prior to the vote cites the November incident when the men were removed from a US Airways flight from Minneapolis to Phoenix for suspicious behavior, the details of which were first reported by The Washington Times. The men prayed loudly before boarding, did not take their assigned seats and formed patterns officials said mirrored the September 11 hijackers, asked for seat-belt extenders not needed, and criticized President Bush and the war in Iraq. "Earlier this month, the six imams filed suit against the airlines. Shockingly, the imams also filed suit against the passengers who reported the suspicious behavior," the memo said. "The Republican motion to recommit will ensure that any person that voluntarily reports suspicious activity -- anything that could be a threat to transportation security -- will be granted immunity from civil liability for the disclosure," the memo said. The amendment is retroactive to activities that took place on or after Nov. 20, 2006 -- the date of the Minneapolis incident, and authorizes courts to award attorneys' fees to defendants with immunity. "By passing a specific grant of immunity that covers passengers reporting suspicious activity in good faith, we will prevent special-interest lawyers from using 'creative' legal theories to attack the well-meaning passengers who make reports," the memo said. Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in an open letter yesterday to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty that "the only individuals against whom suit may be raised in this litigation are those who may have knowingly made false reports against the imams with the intent to discriminate against them." The Becket Fund criticized the lawsuit last week and in a letter to Mr. Awad asked that the "John Does" be removed from the lawsuit, however CAIR is standing by the decision. "The imams will not sue any passengers who reported suspicious activity in good faith, even when the 'suspicious' behavior included the imams' constitutionally protected right to practice their religion without fear or intimidation," Mr. Awad said. However, Mr. Awad said that "when a person makes a false report with the intent to discriminate, he or she is not acting in good faith." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fox News, Hannity & Colmes, 'Provision Put Back,' July 26, 2007: Sean Hannity: Congressman, this Sunday night – I think this is such an important issue for national security – I got to interview some of the passengers that witnessed the behavior of the flying imams, which got this whole thing started... Now, there was one or two of them that I interviewed that literally felt they were purposefully acting this way to provoke a situation, which would create a potential lawsuit which would result in some type of intimidation. For example, groups like CAIR have come under suspicion. We know Chuck Shumer, who I don’t often agree with, has once said CAIR has ties to terrorism. They once had an Executive Director that said “I am a supporter of the Hamas movement.” Do you think there’s any possibility that this could have been orchestrated for the purpose of intimidating people? Congressman Peter King: Yes. I don’t know for sure, but I discussed it with people very high in law enforcement, and that is their conclusion – that this was a setup by Islamic groups, probably CAIR, but certainly by the imams involved – that it was set up by them to provoke this type of reaction and to bring about the lawsuit – and this becomes like another battleground; they can fight us in the courts. As far as CAIR, they are a terrible organization. They are a disgrace. They support Islamic extremism, and they really are absolutely disgraceful. I agree with you. I agree with Chuck Shumer on that. Hannity: Well, Chuck Shumer says “We know CAIR has ties to terrorism.” I told you what their Executive Director once said, that “I’m a supporter of the Hamas movement.” Ibrahim Hooper once said the following: “I wouldn’t want to create the impression that I’d like the government of the United States to be Islamic sometime in the future, but I’m not gonna do anything violent to promote it. I’m gonna do it through education.” What does that say about literally wanting to transform this country into an Islamic state? Is that how you interpret that statement? King: Absolutely, and also their attempting to weaken us.

Edward Koch Former Mayor of New York Ed Koch's 'When Political Correctness Trumps Reason,' as published in Real Clear Politics, June 6, 2007: On November 20, 2006, six Muslim passengers boarded a commercial plane in Minneapolis. According to Congressman Peter King (R-NY), "While boarding, passengers and flight staff witnessed these six individuals demonstrating suspicious behavior, including not sitting in their assigned seats, but rather sitting in a configuration similar to that used by the hijackers on 9/11; requesting seat belt extenders but not using them; and speaking loudly about Osama bin Laden and the United States' role in the death of Saddam Hussein. Concerned passengers and airline personnel properly reported this suspicious behavior, and the pilot and the Federal Air Marshall determined that the behavior warranted asking the individuals to leave the plane. When they refused, airport security and law enforcement personnel responded and removed the individuals to investigate whether a true threat existed." Congressman King reported this in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). He continued, "Rather than receiving praise for coming forward to protect the traveling public, the airport and airline personnel and 'John Doe' passengers are now confronting a civil lawsuit filed by the six individuals [with legal representation from CAIR]. This represents a startling precedent, one that could freeze the very behavior law enforcement has encouraged. If we are going to encourage the public to speak up to prevent a terrorist attack, then they must be assured that they will not face the threat of frivolous litigation." The letter was sent after the King amendment, intended to protect the public by providing "immunity for reporting suspicious activities and mitigating terrorist threats relating to transportation security," was passed. In plain English, the intent of the legislation is to protect those "who take reasonable action" to report suspicious activities to the authorities by providing the persons reporting the suspicious activities with immunity from civil liability (lawsuits). In the Minneapolis case, Congressman King stated, "...passengers on a U.S. Airways flight reported what they saw as suspicious activity. That resulted in six imams being removed from the plane. Now, that is a matter that is going to be in litigation between U.S. Airways and those six imams. But what is absolutely disgraceful is to find out that lawyers are coming forward and advocacy groups are coming forward to represent those imams and suing, attempting to find the identity of those passengers, those citizens who acted in good faith, who responded to their government and reported what they deemed to be suspicious activity." The removed passengers were later allowed to board a plane and fly to their destinations. They were not indicted for any criminal activity. In a debate on the House floor on the King amendment, the opposition argued that the immunity provided from lawsuits and damages would encourage profiling. Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) made the following argument: "I think the record is clear in this country that some people are profiled and I am wondering if people are profiled illegally, not charged with a criminal act. They absolutely should have the ability to seek redress in a court of law. What I want to do is to say that there is nothing wrong with reporting in good faith, but when it is clear that we have not defined in a good-faith language in this motion to recommit what that is, then a number of people in this country could be singled out for various and sundry reasons. And what I am saying in this motion to recommit is it sets us up to start profiling against individuals regardless of religion, custom, or what have you. If I am praying on a plane simply because I am afraid to fly, then I could be singled out in the eyes of someone else. So I am clear that this is speculative on people who look different; it is speculative on people who perhaps act differently. I am convinced that, knowing you [Peter King], you have not proven on the committee to be a punitive person; and the reason I say that, Mr. Ranking Member, is we should not be singling people out for personal reasons. We need to catch bad people, but we need to make sure that we are not profiling those individuals because of how they look. I mean, this is America. This is the melting pot with a rainbow." In the vote that followed, the King amendment providing immunity was carried by 304 votes with 121 in opposition. And guess what? In the New York delegation, 13 voted for the amendment and 16 voted no. Those voting to support the King amendment were Representatives Arcuri (D), Bishop (D), Fossella (R), Gillibrand (D), Hall (D), Higgins (D), King (R), Kuhl (R), McHugh (R), McNulty (D), Reynolds (R), Walsh (R), and Weiner (D). Those voting "no" were Representatives Ackerman, Clarke, Crowley, Engel, Hinchey, Israel, Lowey, Maloney, McCarthy, Meeks, Nadler, Rangel, Serrano, Slaughter, Towns and Velazquez, all Democrats. Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced on the Senate side a companion bill "to provide immunity to individuals who report suspicious activities." The protection afforded "would provide civil immunity in American courts for citizens who, acting in good faith, report threats to our transportation systems to appropriate law-enforcement and transportation-system officials, without fear of being sued. The bill would not protect individuals who knowingly make false statements." The press release of the three senators stated, "In a speech to the U.S. Senate, Collins explained that the recent arrests in Fort Dix, New Jersey, which foiled a plot to attack and kill American soldiers, was the result of a tip from a vigilant citizen, coupled with effective coordination by state and federal law enforcement officials." In the Minneapolis case, the action taken against the six Muslims in removing them from the plane was based on their conduct, not on ethnic profiling. Witnessing suspicious acts and reporting them is no different than bystanders reporting suspicious activities to a district attorney, which is a privileged act. Those voting against the Peter King amendment were foolish and demonstrate that political correctness can sometimes trump reason.

Joseph Lieberman U.S. Senator (I-Connecticut) "What I've heard about them alarms me." (Americans Against Hate, "SENATOR JOE LIEBERMAN 'ALARMED' BY CAIR," January 18, 2008)

Patrick McHenry U.S. Representative (R-North Carolina) Concerning U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell (D-New Jersey) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) allowing the usage of a Capitol meeting room by CAIR: "Apparently, the Democrats live in some parallel universe where it's OK to set up a meeting in the Capitol for a group with known terrorist ties." (statement by U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, The Hill, 'House GOP condemns Muslim group's meeting in the Capitol, March 13, 2007)

Sue Myrick U.S. Representative (R-North Carolina) 'Republicans slam Islamic Society convention,' August 30, 2007: (The Washington Times) -- Republican lawmakers are urging the Justice Department not to participate in a convention held by the Islamic Society of North America -- a group named as an unindicted co-conspirator in an ongoing terrorism-financing case. In a letter to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, Reps. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Sue Myrick of North Carolina called the Justice Department's involvement a "grave mistake." "In light of the threat that our nation is currently facing from radical jihadists, and because of the president's commitment to fighting the war on terror on all fronts, we believe it is a grave mistake to provide legitimacy to an organization with extremist origins, leadership and a radical agenda," the lawmakers said. Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said he agrees that Justice officials should not attend the conference. "It is absolute insanity for the federal government, especially the Department of Justice, to be giving any credibility at all to a group like the ISNA, which has such strong links to Islamic extremism," Mr. King said. Justice Department spokesman Erik Ablin said in an e-mail that the department has "received the letter, and we will respond to Reps. Hoekstra and Myrick." He went on to note that the Civil Rights Division and other government agencies -- including military recruiters -- frequently attend the convention "as part of its outreach and education efforts." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Groups like CAIR have a proven record of senior officials being indicted and either imprisoned or deported from the United States. There was a lot of evidence presented at the recent Holy Land Foundation trial which exposed CAIR and others as front groups for the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States." (statement by Congresswoman Sue Myrick, World Net Daily, "CAIR called 'turnstile' for terrorist suspects," December 4, 2007) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 18, 2008 Rep. Myrick Unveils “Wake Up America” Agenda WASHINGTON -- Today, Rep. Sue Myrick (NC-9) released her “Wake Up America” agenda. Rep. Myrick’s goal in releasing her agenda is to alert, and educate, Americans to terrorist threats here at home posed by radical Islamic extremists. This is her agenda, this is not the agenda of the Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus. This agenda is the start of Rep. Myrick’s work on these issues. As she moves forward on these points, she will update the public on her findings. Her ten point agenda is below. There is also a link at the bottom to provide in-depth background information on all these points so that the public has a more clear understanding of the agenda items. “Wake Up America” Agenda 1. Will call for a government investigation of all US military chaplains who were approved by Abdurahman Alamoudi. 2. Will call for a government investigation of all US prison chaplains who were approved by Abdurahman Alamoudi. 3. Will call for the Government Accounting Office (GAO) to investigate the selection process of Arabic translators in the FBI and DoD. 4. Will call for the Internal Revenue Service to investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) 501(c)(3) non-profit status which restricts “lobbying on behalf of a foreign government”. 5. Introduce a bill to make the preaching, publication, or distribution of materials that call for the death of American citizens, attacks on the United States Government or Armed Forces, or the financing of the means and/or operations to accomplish these acts, acts of sedition and/or solicitation of treason. 6. Will call on the Government Accountability Office to conduct an audit to verify the total sovereign wealth fund investment in the United States. 7. Will attempt to cancel scholarship student visa program with Saudi Arabia until they reform their textbooks. 8. Will introduce a bill to restrict R-1/R-2 religious visas for imams who come from countries that do not allow reciprocal visits by non-Muslim clergy. 9. Will introduce a bill to cancel contracts to train Saudi police and other security forces in US Counterterrorism tactics until the Saudi’s certify the prosecution of Al Qaeda financiers, like Yasin al-Kadi, and the detention of repatriated Guantanamo terrorists that keep being released into the general population after being “rehabilitated”. 10. Will introduce or sponsor a bill to block the sale of sensitive military munitions, especially Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), to Saudi Arabia. Background http://www.myrick.house.gov/wakeupamericaagenda.shtml ###

Jerrold Nadler U.S. Representative (D-New York) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2003 NADLER CRITICIZES AMERICAN MUSLIM COUNCIL FOR SUGGESTING THAT SHUTTLE DISASTER WAS ACT OF G-D WASHINGTON -- Responding to a reprehensible statement issued by the American Muslim Council, which suggested that the recent loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and its entire crew was an act of divine retribution against Israel, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), in a letter today, called on AMC Executive Director Eric Erfan Vickers to repudiate his remarks. The letter to Mr. Vickers, as well as the full statement of the AMC Executive Director is below. February 4, 2003 Mr. Eric Erfan Vickers Executive Director American Muslim Council 1212 New York Avenue NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20005 Dear Mr. Vickers: I read with shock your message of February 3, entitled "Seeing the Signs," in which you appear to suggest that the recent tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and its entire crew was an act of divine retribution against Israel, and attributable to the presence of the first Israeli astronaut on the mission. In particular, you stated that "I have been tempted to contact her to ask if she sees a sign in the calamitous destruction of the one hundred and thirteenth space shuttle mission taking place over a city named Palestine, while on board was the first Israeli astronaut, who also happened to have been the pilot that bombed several years ago an Iraqi nuclear facility. I was curious how she - or the Book of Revelations - might view or explain this strangely ironic set of facts as war looms on the horizon." It is unthinkable that any American would take such perverse pleasure in a tragedy that so greatly affects not only the people of the United States, but also the people of India and Israel, and which has drawn expressions of sympathy and solidarity from leaders around the world. Moreover, to presume that a divine purpose reflects one's own hateful feelings toward the Jewish People is insulting to all people of faith and good will. I would urge you to reflect on your comments, and to apologize to those Americans, of all faiths and of all national origins, who have joined together in a great moment of national healing following this terrible tragedy. Hate and a perverse pleasure in the deaths of these heroes are inappropriate at a time like this. Sincerely, Jerrold Nadler Member of Congress

Steve Pearce U.S. Representative (R-New Mexico) 'Don't Sue Americans Who Report Suspicious Terrorist Activity: 2nd District Lawmaker calls on Congress to protect Americans trying to prevent terror plots,' March 22, 2007: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, United States Congressman Steve Pearce introduced H.R. 1640 the "Protecting Americans Fighting Terrorism Act of 2007." If passed, this legislation would protect individuals from being sued for reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement and security personnel. The language of the Act comes as a direct response to a recent incident in Minneapolis. As reported in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The imams engaged in a variety of suspicious behaviors while boarding a US Airways flight, according to the airport police report. Some prayed loudly in the gate area, spoke angrily about the United States and Saddam, switched seats and sat in the 9/11 hijackers' configuration, and unnecessarily requested seatbelt extenders that could be used as weapons, according to witness reports and US Airways spokeswoman Andrea Rader. As a result of the aforementioned behavior, citizens contacted airline authorities and the pilot informed law enforcement to have the suspicious parties removed from the aircraft. The original incident occurred in November of 2006; now the group [with legal representation from CAIR] has filed suit against US Airways and the Minneapolis – St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission on 17 different charges. Included in the lawsuit as defendants, are "John Does" described as citizens who called authorities to report the suspicious behavior of the Imams. Rep. Pearce commented on introducing the bill: "It is a sad day in America when our own institutions of freedom are being used against us in the battle against terrorism. When I first heard about the lawsuit brought by the 'imams' in Minnesota, it was clear to me that this was an injustice against Americans who were simply trying to protect themselves. These brave citizens should be recognized as heroes for their efforts to report suspicious activity, particularly activity that has been associated with previous terror attacks. "As Americans, we must not allow ourselves to be bullied by individuals who seek to disrupt our way of life. We can not allow the sympathizers of terrorism to make Americans wonder if they could be sued before reporting possible terrorist activity. Whether it is an intimidation tactic or a full scale attack, Americans have the right and responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow citizens. I introduced this legislation to protect Americans and keep all citizens alert and vocal as they serve on the front line in our battle against terrorism here in America." Rep. Pearce was joined by 10 cosponsors in introducing this legislation. To see a full copy of H.R. 1640 click here. [PDF]

Steve Pomerantz Former FBI Chief of Counter-Terrorism Excerpt from Steven Pomerantz's 'Counterterrorism in a free society,' as originally published in The Journal of Counterterrorism & Security International, Spring 1998: CAIR's purpose, according to its Articles of Incorporation, is to promote interest and understanding among the general public with regard to Islam and Muslims in North America and conduct educational services in the field of religion, culture, education, society and history concerning Islamic issues both in the United States and abroad. But in fact, Nihad Awad, the founder and executive director of CAIR, had previously served as the editor of a publication known as the Muslim World Monitor. The Muslim World Monitor is a publication of the Islamic Association of Palestine (IAP), a group which supports the Hamas terrorist organization. Hamas has been responsible for numerous acts of terrorism in the Middle East which have resulted in the death of U.S. citizens as well as other civilians. IAP has issued Hamas communiqués, produced videos for Hamas and recruited for that organization in the United States. The IAP has been characterized as "a Hamas front" by a retired senior federal law enforcement official. Another of CAIR's founding directors, Rafeeq Jabar, has been president of the IAP. During a panel discussion concerning Middle East issues in 1994--recorded on video-- Mr. Awad flatly stated that he was "in support of the Hamas movement." Mohammed Nimer, the Director of CAIR's Research Center, had previously served on the Board of Directors of the United Association for Studies and Research (UASR). According to the New York Times, a Hamas terrorist, convicted in Israel, characterized the UASR as the political command of Hamas in the United States. Directly in contradiction to its stated goal of promoting understanding among the general public concerning Islam, CAIR has defended individuals involved in terrorist violence, including Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk, and has embraced people who have engaged in promoting violence or hateful and bigoted rhetoric. The modus operandi of CAIR has been to falsely tar as "anti-Muslim" the U.S. government, counter-terrorist officials, writers, journalists and others who have investigated or exposed the threat of Middle East based terrorism. In particular, CAIR has targeted Steven Emerson, the producer of "Jihad in America" and someone I, and many others in the counter-terrorist community, consider to be among the foremost experts on Middle East terrorist groups operating in the United States. His investigations have repeatedly demonstrated that he is often in possession of information that, for a variety of reasons, is unknown to the government. Yet, CAIR has systematically smeared Emerson in a manner reminiscent of McCarthyism. Any objective assessment of the material presented above leads to the conclusion that CAIR, its leaders, and its activities, effectively give aid to international terrorist groups. Unfortunately, CAIR is but one of a new generation of new groups in the United States that hide under a veneer of "civil rights" or "academic" status but in fact are tethered to a platform that support terrorism. The degree to which these groups are able to deceive the American public and intimidate writers and counter-terrorist officials will be a significant ingredient in whether this country will be rendered more vulnerable to terrorism in future years. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steven Pomerantz's 'The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR): A Case Study in Deception,' as originally published in The Journal of Counterterrorism & Security International, Spring 1998: It is clear from a review of CAIR's statements and activities that one of its goals is to further the agenda of radical Islamic terrorist groups by providing political support. By masquerading as a mainstream public affairs organization, CAIR has taken the lead in trying to mislead the public about the terrorist underpinnings of militant Islamic movements, in particular, Hamas. CAIR has defended the terrorist regime of the Sudan (which is engaged is a genocidal holy war against Christians), the Hamas terrorist organization and its leader Musa Abu Marzook. It has sponsored visits of Islamic extremists in the United States. For example, the September 1994 issue of CAIR News reports that CAIR coordinated a series of meetings for Bassam Alamoush, a Jordanian Islamic militant, with U.S. government officials. At the Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA) conference in Chicago in December 1994, Alamoush called for the killing of Jews. According to a video of Alamoush's speech, he said, "Somebody approached me at the mosque [in Amman] and asked me, 'if I see a Jew in the street, should I kill him?'" After pausing a moment with a dumbfounded face, Alamoush answered the question to a laughing crowd: "Don't ask me. After you kill him, come and tell me. What do you want from me, a fatwa [legal ruling]? Really, a good deed does not require one." Later in the speech, Alamoush was interrupted by an aide with a note "Good news there has been a suicide operation in Jerusalem" killing three people. Thunderous applause followed his statement. CAIR criticizes "stereotyping" of Muslims but its definitions of stereotyping includes all articles that expose or detail Islamic extremism, discuss terrorism and cite other issues deemed "offensive" to CAIR. Thus, in the past four years, CAIR officials have attacked as "anti-Muslim" The New Republic, U.S. News and World Report, The Atlantic Monthly (it had an article about the militant Islamic rule and oppression in the Sudan), the Dallas Morning News (it exposed the Hamas infrastructure in Texas), the Reader's Digest (it published an article exposing the repression of Christians by Communist regime and Islamic extremists), the Tampa Tribune (it exposed the Islamic Jihad infrastructure in Tampa), the Weekly Reader's Current Events (its transgression was a story about international terrorism), The Journal of American Medical Association (its transgression was an article about the victims of terrorism), the travel writer Paul Theroux (he attacked the fatwa on Salman Rushdie), Vice President Albert Gore (he used the word "Jihad"), the Wiesenthal Center (it showcased Ayatollah Khoumeni's call for the death of Jews), Father Richard John Neuhaus (he favorably reviewed a book that documented militant Islamic repression of Christians and Jews), and New York Times columnist Abe Rosenthal (he praised the documentary "Jihad in America.") To substantiate its claims about "hate crimes," CAIR publishes annual reports on alleged hate crimes and discrimination against Muslims. Upon closer scrutiny, a large proportion of the complaints has been found to be fabricated, manufactured, distorted or outside standard definitions of hate crimes. Two egregious examples of this is the fact that, according to The Washington Post, CAIR classified as "religious persecution" the arrest of Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzook and of World Trade Center bombing conspiracy ringleader Sheik Omar Abdul Rahman in its annual reports as bias against Muslims. CAIR's Board of Advisors and Directors and featured speakers include known militants and extremists. Imam Siraj Wahaj, a member of CAIR's board of advisors, was listed by U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White as an "unindicted person who may be alleged as [a] conspirator" in the World Trade Center bombing conspiracy. Hamza Yousef, also on CAIR's Board of Advisors, spoke at an Islamic convention in 1995: "the Jews would have us believe that God has this bias to this little small tribe in the Middle of the Sinai desert and all the rest of humanity is just rubbish. I mean that this is the basic doctrine of the Jewish religion and that's why it is a most racist religion." (Speech of Hamza Yusuf, Islamic Society of North America, 1995)

Oliver "Buck" Revell Former FBI Chief of Counter-Terrorism Concerning CAIR's parent organization, the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP): "IAP is a Hamas front. It's controlled by Hamas, it brings Hamas leaders to the U.S., it does propaganda for Hamas." (statement by former FBI Assistant Director Oliver Revell, Washington Post, 'FBI Terror Probes Focus on U.S. Muslims,' October 31, 1998)

Rick Santorum Former U.S. Senator (R-Pennsylvania) "Rick Santorum, a former Republican senator from Pennsylvania, says CAIR is under a lot of suspicion for a good reason. 'A lot of the folks who are involved in this organization are apologists for radical Islam,' Santorum explains, '[and] some CAIR employees have been prosecuted on terrorist-related charges.' He adds that there are connections between CAIR and the Islamic Association of Palestine -- 'which is related to Hamas, which is a terrorist group,' the former lawmaker points out. Santorum... takes particular issue with [U.S. Rep. Joe] Sestak's planned participation with a group he says is not supporting the war against radical Islam, but instead, in some cases, is 'participating in it'... 'I find it reprehensible that a congressman representing a great blue-collar area -- Delaware County, [Pennsylvania], where a lot of patriots [are] -- would be out there cavorting with this type of group...' he remarks. '[I]n my opinion, [such actions are] deliberately undermining our ability to successfully prosecute this war against folks who want to harm us.'" (Jim Brown, American Family News Network, "Santorum: PA Democrat's CAIR appearance 'reprehensible,'" March 22, 2007)

Charles Schumer U.S. Senator (D-New York) "Senator Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat who has been steadfast in his efforts to uncover the nexus of Hamas front groups in the U.S., was ruthless in his portrayal of CAIR as part of an international terror network. In his opening remarks, Senator Schumer stated that prominent members of CAIR—referring specifically to Nihad Awad and Omar Ahmed—have 'intimate links with Hamas.' Later, he remarked that 'we know [CAIR] has ties to terrorism.'" (Evan McCormick, FrontPage Magazine, 'A Bad Day for CAIR,' September 24, 2003) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Rep. Charles Schumer, D-New York, said the Justice Department should begin an investigation of Hamas activities in the United States, using a new law that enables the federal government to prosecute anyone raising money in this country for terrorist groups. 'We know that Hamas raises significant amounts of its money here,' Schumer said at a news conference Thursday with leaders of two U.S. Jewish organizations. As examples of organizations with alleged links to Hamas, Schumer cited the United Association for Research and Studies in Springfield, Va., and the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP) in Dallas." (The Associated Press, 'Hamas Gets Funding From U.S.,' October 20, 1994) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Muslim chaplaincy program has come recently under direct attacks, spearheaded by two important senators, Charles Schumer and Dianne Feinstein, who demanded, under insinuations by anti-Muslim groups, that Muslim chaplain endorsement be withdrawn from ISNA." (Louay Safi, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), 'The American Muslim Community and the Challenge of Leadership,' September 16, 2004) "Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, said a member of the board of the Islamic Society [Siraj Wahhaj] had been listed by the F.B.I. as a possible unindicted conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing." (The New York Times, 'Groups Lose Sole Authority On Chaplains For Muslims,' October 15, 2003)

Bill Shuster U.S. Representative (R-Pennsylvania) 'Shuster Urges Democrats to Cancel Meeting with Radical Islamic Front Group,' March 12, 2007: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bill Shuster expressed his extreme disappointment with House Democratic Leadership due to their decision to reserve a room in the US Capitol building for a meeting with CAIR, the “Council on American-Islamic Relations” to discuss US foreign policy in the Middle East. “The Democrat leadership in the House is walking a very fine line between a political stunt designed to undermine the President and our military and abetting the enemy,” Shuster said. “It’s striking to see the Democrats embrace a front group for terrorists during the same week they plan to announce their plan to retreat from the War on Terror.” CAIR was organized in 1994 to serve as an advocacy group for Muslims in America. However, since it’s founding, CAIR has tread a fine line between advocacy of Muslim interests and advocacy in support of terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism. Recently, CAIR vocally supported the six Imams who were removed from US Air flight 300 after they aroused passengers’ suspicions due to their behavior. CAIR decried US Air for following accepted post 9/11 security protocols. Other examples of CAIR’s radical history include: Omar Ahmad, CAIR’s co-founder praised suicide bombers: "Fighting for freedom, fighting for Islam, that is not suicide,"..."They kill themselves for Islam" (The Washington Times, 3/16/04); Nihad Awad, CAIR’s Executive Director and scheduled presenter at the Democrat- sponsored meeting said, “I am in support of the Hamas movement,” at a symposium at Barry University in March 1994; Ahmed Bedier, the Executive Director of CAIR’s Tampa Chapter, said in 2004, “Catholic priests pose more of a terrorism threat by having sex with young altar boys than those who flew planes into the World Trade Center." (Letter, Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, 11/9/06); Senior CAIR employee Randall Todd “Ismail” Royer, pled guilty and was sentenced to twenty years in prison for participating in a network of militant jihadists centered in Northern Virginia. He admitted to aiding and abetting three persons who sought training in a terrorist camp in Pakistan for the purpose of waging jihad against American troops in Afghanistan. “To fully understand the global rise in fundamentalist Islam, we need to engage in an honest dialogue with leaders of the Muslim community in America,” Shuster said. “However, the Democrats’ decision to extend an open invitation to CAIR, an organization that supports Hamas and Hezballah, applauds suicide bombers, and employed a number of terrorist financiers and supporters is beyond comprehension.” “CAIR has failed to prove that is not in league with radical Islam. Time and again the organization has shown itself to be nothing more than an apologist for groups bent on the destruction of Israel and Islamic domination over the West,” Shuster said. “The Democrats’ decision to put CAIR in a staring role at a meeting to discuss US policy towards the Middle East shows that they fundamentally fail to grasp the nature of the enemy we face. They should cancel the meeting and call on CAIR to fully disclose the group’s ties to known terrorists.”

Fred Thompson Former U.S. Senator (R-Tennessee) Fred Dalton Thompson's 'Suing for Silence,' as published in National Review, March 29, 2007: You might have heard about the lawsuit brought by a radical Islamic advocacy group [CAIR] against passengers on a U.S. Airways flight. Their offense was reporting suspicious behavior to the flight crew. According to reports, six Muslim men took up positions inside the plane similar to those taken by the 9/11 hijackers and vocally condemned America. If the lawsuit goes forward, even if it fails, airline passengers will be far less willing to share information that might prevent another terrorist tragedy. This problem pales in comparison to what’s going on in much of Europe today where the courts are being used to criminalize politically incorrect debate about Islam, though rarely Christianity or Judaism. One notable victim was Italian author and ex-resistance fighter, Oriana Fallaci. First, a Swiss court ordered her arrested for criticizing Islamic violence. Later, an Italian court ordered her tried as well. Though fighting cancer, she spent most of her last few years exiled from her own home rather than endure a trial. A bill was introduced in the house last week to protect passengers from being sued for reporting fishy behavior, but its fate was never clear. Fortunately, New York Representative Peter King surprised the House yesterday by inserting the bill's language into a bill that will almost certainly become law. The good news is that the vote yesterday will help keep America's courts from being used to squelch free speech. The bad news is that 121 U.S. representatives opposed it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fred Dalton Thompson's 'Good News about CAIR,' as published by ABC Radio Networks, June 20, 2007: I've talked before about the Council on American-Islamic Relations -- most recently because it filed that lawsuit against Americans who reported suspicious behavior by Muslims on a U.S. Airways flight. Better known just as CAIR, the lobbying group has come under a lot of scrutiny lately for its connections to terror-supporting groups. This time, though, The Washington Times has uncovered some very good news about the group. For years, CAIR has claimed to represent millions of American Muslims. In fact, they claim to represent more Muslim in American than ... there are in America. This has alarmed Americans in general as the group often seems to be more aligned with our enemies than us -- which isn't surprising as it spun off from a group funded by Hamas. As you know, Hamas has been waging a terrorist war against Israel and calls for its total destruction. It also promises to see America destroyed. Nowadays, Hamas is busy murdering its Palestinian political rivals. Even with this history, and CAIR's conspicuous failure to condemn Hamas by name, it has been treated as if represents Muslim Americans by our own government. The good news is that the financial support CAIR claims to have among American Muslims is a myth. We know this because The Washington Times got hold of the group's IRS tax records. CAIR's dues-paying membership has shrunk 90 percent since 9/11 -- from 29,000 in 2000 to only 1,700 last year. CAIR's annual income from dues plunged from $733,000 to $59,000. Clearly, America's Muslims are not supporting this group -- and I'm happy to hear about it. Of course, every silver lining seems to have a cloud; and this cloud is that CAIR's spending is running about $3 million a year. They’ve opened 25 new chapters in major cities across the country even as their dues shrank to a pittance. The question is; who’s funding CAIR? CAIR's not saying. The New York Times earlier this year reported that the backing is from "wealthy Persian Gulf governments" including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Obviously, we have a bigger problem here than the one with CAIR.