Thread: Ohio Governor Speaks at CAIR Banquet

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland spoke last night at the tenth annual banquet of one of the unindicted co-conspirators in the Holy Land Foundation Hamas funding trial.

Ohio press couldn’t care less. http://www.bizzyblog.com/2007/06/19/...lective-press/

Monday, June 18, 2007

OHIO GOVERNOR SPEAKS AT CAIR BANQUET

(COLUMBUS, OH, 6/18/2007) - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland spoke last night at the tenth annual banquet of the Council on American-Islamic Relations chapter in that state (CAIR-OH).

Governor Strickland addressed the crowd of 350 people, saying: “On behalf of all Ohioans, [my wife and I] appreciate your vision to promote justice and mutual understanding. We gather under CAIR-Ohio’s theme this year, ‘American Muslims: Connecting and Sharing,’ to do just that, to connect and share and get to know each other better.”

Governor Strickland also expressed appreciation for “the Muslim traditions of strong family, hard work, and education,” and presented a proclamation honoring CAIR-Ohio’s work.

CAIR Chairman Dr. Parvez Ahmed and several prominent imams also spoke at the event. Imams, local elected officials, and members of the interfaith community were among those in attendance.

Not newsworthy? Surely you jest. It’s not every day that the sitting governor of one of the country’s larger states breaks bread with an organization that has been named an unindicted co-conspirator in an alleged criminal conspiracy to support the Palestinian Arab terrorist group Hamas.

Yes, THAT Hamas. Y’know, the one that during the few days leading up to the governor’s appearance was reported to have, among many other atrocities:

Executed officials of rival Gaza Strip faction Fatah “one by one in front of their families in the streets of Gaza City.” Many of those officials appear not to have been combatants in any meaningful sense.

Thrown an officer in a Fatah-linked security force (Mohammed Sweirki of the Presidential Guard of President Mahmoud Abbas) from the roof of a 15-story apartment building (Fatah did likewise to a Hamas “activist”).

“Shot dead seven Fatah fighters after they had surrendered.”

Nice.

And who is Dr. Parvez Ahmed, you may ask? He’s CAIR’s national Chairman of the Board. In 2004, this paragon of “connecting and sharing,” and of “promoting justice and mutual understanding,” threatened “legal consequences” (HT FrontPage) to those who might dare to write letters to the editor about CAIR’s alleged ties to terror.

Ahmed’s latest blog post attempts to minimize the significance of the arrests relating to the plot to blow up JFK airport.

FrontPage further notes that: http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles...e.asp?ID=18000

CAIR has consistently shown sympathy for overseas terrorist groups and their activities. In fact, CAIR’s actions led Senator Charles Shumer, D-NY, to declare, “We know [CAIR] has ties to terrorism.”

Are Ted Strickland and his administration so out of touch with reality that they saw this event as just another “Kumbaya” moment? Is Ohio’s (and the nation’s) press so apathetic and gullible to think that the governor’s appearance at CAIR-Ohio with the organization’s national chairman in attendance is just another relatively meaningless banquet-circuit event?

The governor’s appearance was very long on naivete, very short on sound judgment, and gave a dose of legitimacy to an organization that most certainly doesn’t deserve it. It’s hard not to think that Ohio’s media, some of whom surely received CAIR’s press release and are aware of CAIR’s activities, are carrying the governor’s water.

CAIR: How Close to Terrorism?
By Andrew Whitehead and Lee Kaplan

The conviction of a Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) state operative is but the latest apparent link between that Islamist organization and Islamist terrorism. On April 13, 2005, Ghassan Elashi, founder of the group's Texas chapter (CAIR-Texas) – as well as longtime associate of CAIR's top leadership and beneficiary of CAIR fundraising and support – was convicted of laundering money for Islamic terrorist organizations from November 1995 through April 2001.

Dating back to the early 1990s, Elashi had close ties to CAIR's leaders Bassam Khafagi, Imam Siraj Wahaj, and Randall Todd "Ismail" Royer, former civil rights coordinator and communications specialist for the "Muslim civil rights group."

Elashi founded CAIR’s Texas chapter sometime before October 2000. (CAIR-Texas first appeared as an affiliate on the CAIR national website at that time.) Therefore, it is evident Elashi was a high-ranking CAIR official at the time he committed the pro-terrorist crimes for which he was convicted.

Elashi's conviction is bad news for CAIR. Its ties with Elashi are too deep and the evidence of CAIR's complicity too obvious for CAIR to spin. For example, just after the Islamic terrorist attacks of 9/11, the CAIR website contained a section entitled, "What you can do for the victims of the WTC and Pentagon attacks," which solicited contributions to the "NY/DC Emergency Relief Fund." The only problem was, this so-called "Relief Fund" never existed. The link provided by CAIR led the would-be contributor directly to the Holy Land Foundation website. The Holy Land Foundation, a government-designated terrorist front group, was also shut down by the U.S. government for funding terrorism overseas. The trial of its leadership is scheduled to begin next year.

And just who was the head of the Holy Land Foundation?

Elashi.

A coincidence?

Not likely.

However, that will not mean CAIR will immediately admit the connection

Consider CAIR’s reaction when a CAIR official was questioned about former CAIR Randall Royer on Fox’s “Hannity and Colmes” TV program:

HANNITY: Did you not have a spokesman for your group at one time, a guy by the name of Royer that was on your staff that was convicted?

BEDIER: I think several years ago we had that individual in our group. And if you're inciting that somehow we're responsible for the actions or behavior of the individuals after they left our organization, that would be similar to somebody that worked for FOX five years ago and then commits a crime and FOX would be responsible for it.

In fact, Royer was an active official in CAIR at the time he committed his crimes. This exchange is classic: When you can’t dispute the facts, fib and hope the person you’re talking to doesn’t catch you. In this case, Hannity didn’t pursue the matter, and Bedier got away with it.

Dr. Parvez Ahmed, went a step farther, implying that statements against CAIR are subject to SLAPP lawsuits or other legal action:

People who make statements connecting CAIR to terrorism should understand the legal consequences of their attempted slander and defamation. The First Amendment does not protect defamation.

Once again, we see that CAIR clouds the issue of its possible complicity in Islamic terrorism with none-too veiled threats against those who attempt to call them to account. Why can’t CAIR stand on the facts? Simple: the facts plainly do not support CAIR’s story.

CAIR has consistently shown sympathy for overseas terrorist groups and their activities. In fact, CAIR’s actions led Senator Charles Shumer, D-NY, to declare, "We know [CAIR] has ties to terrorism." CAIR’s Jordanian-born Executive Director, Nihad Awad, has openly stated, "I am a supporter of the Hamas movement." Awad was also the former public relations director of the Islamic Association of Palestine (IAP), a known front group for Hamas. At a Washington, D.C., CAIR rally, CAIR spokesman Dr. Ghazi Khankan openly greeted attendees by saying, "I bring to you salaams and greetings from the Mujahadeen at CAIR!” (Mujahadeen are holy warriors such as those killing U.S. and Coalition soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.)


CAIR’s apparent ties to terrorism go beyond the merely rhetorical. Authorities have linked Randall Royer with al-Qaeda. On page 15 of the federal indictment of eleven Islamist terrorism suspects, it is charged:

On or about April 4, 2001, at the residence of IBRAHAM AHMED AL-HAMDI in Alexandria, Virginia, a visitor representing the Benevolence International Foundation (BIF), another “Islamic charity” closed down for funding terrorism by the US government, discussed a Mujahadeen camp in Bosnia with Nabil T. Garbieh and other conspirators.


Last February, the FBI searched the northern Virginia home of an Islamic scholar and teacher named Ali al-Timimi, and the homes of his students, Nabil Garbieh and al-Hamdi. The warrants said they were seeking evidence that the men and another conspirator named Kwon had provided “material support of terrorism or foreign terrorist groups.” The group became known as the “paintball terrorists,” allegedly because they were training with weapons in paintball competitions for combat practice to gain experience to become Mujahadeen in Afghanistan, where they would wage jihad against U.S. forces alongside the Taliban.


The indictment continues: “On or about April 4, 2001, at the residence of IBRAHAM AHMED AL-HAMDI in Alexandria, Virginia, Nabil T. Garbieh and other conspirators watched videos depicting Mujahadeen engaged in Jihad.” In plain language, the government is alleging that the BIF, an Islamist terrorist supporting organization, held an organized meeting with the conspirators for the purpose of watching videos of Islamist terrorists in action. The conspirators’ alleged meeting with a BIF representative, the proven ties between BIF and al-Qaeda, and Randall "Ismail" Royer's connection to the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), all point to the reasonable conclusion that when domestic Islamist terrorists are plotting their murderous designs, CAIR is never far away.



For now, CAIR remains in the Islamist guilt-mongering business – and business is good. CAIR still poses as a “civil rights” group and even provides “sensitivity” training for FBI agents in how to deal with Muslims. FBI chief Robert Mueller was embarrassed enough to return a “humanitarian award” given him by CAIR. Congress and the President are still lobbied by CAIR.

The group known as “Anti-CAIR” (ACAIR) believes that CAIR, Elashi, and other CAIR officials, directors, and employees have combined, conspired, and made common ground with Islamic terrorist individuals and groups. Terrorist expert Steve Emerson testified before Congress that CAIR is a front group for Hamas, as well. Furthermore, ACAIR believes that CAIR's proven ties to the Islamic Association of Palestine (IAP), and its support for Elashi, Holy Land Foundation, and other Islamic terrorist groups clearly show CAIR's true colors.

In light of all these facts, why would any media organization, politician, or government agency ever solicit CAIR's opinion? With Elashi’s going to prison, and the Holy Land Foundation about to go to trial, it begs the question: Are federal prosecutors closing in on CAIR? We can only hope that should a terrorist connection be irrefutably proven, we can all look forward to the closing of CAIR in the United States.


To our knowledge, CAIR has never officially condemned Royer, disassociated itself from his actions, or otherwise taken steps to ensure its employees comply with the laws against supporting terrorism. Some question whether its financial management procedures are in compliance with the recommended U.S. Treasury Department guidelines. We believe CAIR will follow their performance with Royer in this latest scandal with Ghassan Elashi – deny its association with the terrorist, but continue its questionable associations.

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles...e.asp?ID=18000

Fred Calls Out CAIR http://littlegreenfootballs.com/webl..._CAIR#comments

Fred Thompson is not winning friends in the Persian Gulf with statements like these:
http://abcradionetworks.com/article....045&SPID=15663

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. ...

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?

For more on CAIR :
http://www.bigbigforums.com/news-inf...ncil+Relations
http://www.bigbigforums.com/news-inf...ncil+Relations
http://www.bigbigforums.com/news-inf...ncil+Relations
http://www.bigbigforums.com/vent-whi...ncil+Relations
http://www.bigbigforums.com/thats-en...ncil+Relations


Wed, Jun 20, 2007 at 7:18:34 pm PST

CAIR Goes After Rudy Giuliani
You had to know this was coming.

The Council on American Islamic Relations, the Saudi-funded radical Islamic front group named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation Hamas funding trial, has put out one of their infamous “Action Alerts” on Rudy Giuliani—because he used the words “Islamic terrorism:”

http://www.cair.com/default.asp?Page...516&theType=AA
Action: Contact the Giuliani Presidential Committee.

Here’s the contact information they’ve published at their web site. I encourage LGF readers to use this information to express support for Giuliani’s unwillingness to knuckle under to the demands of this fifth column group:

Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee
295 Greenwich St, #371, New York, NY 10007
Tel: 212-835-9449, 646-943-7890
E-mail: [email protected]

UPDATE at 7/25/07 6:22:45 pm:

Here’s a blast from the past. When Rudy Giuliani told the Saudis to take their $10 million check and shove it, shortly after the 9/11 attacks, CAIR was right there, doing the same thing they’re doing today: Muslims Criticize Mayor Giuliani for Rejection of Disaster Donation. http://www.chretiens-et-juifs.org/ar...oir%5B%5D=2140

Muslims Criticize Mayor Giuliani for Rejection of Disaster Donation

From: CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations)
For immediate release
Washington-DC, 10/12/2001

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, today criticized New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani for rejecting a $10 million World Trade Center attack disaster-relief check from a Saudi Arabian prince who said in a statement that America “should re-examine its policies in the Middle East and adopt a more balanced stance toward the Palestinian cause.” (see : Citing Comments on Attack, Giuliani Rejects Saudi’s Gift)

Giuliani called the remarks by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, a nephew of King Fahd and one of the world’s wealthiest men, “highly irresponsible and very, very dangerous.” He directed that the prince’s donation to the Twin Towers Fund be rejected.

(In his remarks Prince Alwaleed also offered condolences for the victims of the World Trade Center attack and condemned terrorism in all its forms. In another statement issued today, Prince Alwaleed reiterated his support for Palestinian rights.)

“It is unconscionable that Mayor Giuliani would sacrifice the interests of the victims of these horrific attacks in order to score points with the domestic lobby for a foreign government. The mayor’s actions are in opposition to President Bush’s repeated warnings not to turn the fight against terrorism into a war against Muslims or Arabs,” said CAIR Board Chairman Omar Ahmad.

“It is just this kind of uncritical support for Israel’s brutal policies toward Palestinian Christians and Muslims that creates resentment in the Muslim world that is in turn exploited by terrorists. American policy in the Middle East should be based on what is best for America, not Israel,” said Ahmad. He added that more Americans are calling for a re-alignment of United States foreign policy in the Arab and Muslim worlds based on justice and universal standards of human rights.

There are an estimated seven million Muslims in America and some 1.2 billion worldwide.

CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper
E-MAIL - [email protected]

CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
E-mail: [email protected]

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/webl...26404&only&rss

Somebody tell me if they are seeing the same thing that I think I am :

http://www.cair.com/default.asp?Page...516&theType=AA

Scroll down to the bottom of the page on the left hand side is a ad campaign for CAIR with rotating images. One is a group of Girl Scouts ?



http://www.americanmuslims.info/ad.asp?m=02&d=23