Council on American Islamic Relations

According to its webpage, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a Muslim American civil liberties and advocacy group. CAIR’s vision is to promote justice and mutual understanding. CAIR’s mission is based on 3 core goals

• enhancing understanding of Islam
• promoting justice
• empowering American Muslims.

CAIR financial statements are audited by professional accountants and are certified as having passed with distinction. CAIR Annual Reports are made available to all our members and donors. Beginning in 2006 CAIR Annual Reports will be made available online.

CAIR works in close cooperation with other civic and civil liberties groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Hispanic Unity, Organization of Chinese Americans, Japanese American Citizens League, Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force. It has successfully partnered with the National Council of Churches and held dialogue with representatives of the National Association of Evangelicals.

Opponents

Daniel Pipes said "CAIR presents itself as just another civil-rights group. 'We are similar to a Muslim NAACP,' says spokesman Ibrahim Hooper. Its public language - about promoting 'interest and understanding among the general public with regards to Islam and Muslims in North America' - certainly boosts an image of moderation. For starters, it's on the wrong side in the war on terrorism. One indication came in October 1998, when the group demanded the removal of a Los Angeles billboard describing Osama bin Laden as 'the sworn enemy,' finding this depiction 'offensive to Muslims.'

CAIR denied bin Laden's responsibility for the 1998 bombings of U.S. Embassies in Africa. "As Hooper saw it, those explosions resulted from some vague 'misunderstandings of both sides.'"