CAIR-Houston Press Conference Concerning New CAIR Report: Anonymous Donors Use Mainstream Philanthropic Groups to Funnel Millions to Anti-Muslim Hate Groups

(HOUSTON, T.X, 5/6/19) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization,
today released a one-of-its-kind report detailing a list of philanthropic
foundations, many of them mainstream, that were used  by anonymous
special interest donors to funnel almost $125 million between 2014 and
2016 to anti-Muslim hate groups.

CAIR’s report, “Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the
Islamophobia Network,” documents how more than 1,000 foundations funneled almost $125 million to 39 anti-Muslim hate groups during that period, which saw a marked increase in anti-Muslim hate violence and discrimination.  The money was used to support anti-Muslim legislation and policies, conduct anti-Muslim lobbying, distribute false and
defamatory information to mainstream media and on social media, and run public campaigns promoting conspiracy theories tied to issues such as mosque construction.  

SEE CAIR Report: Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network  

“The robust tradition of American philanthropy helps support a vibrant democracy, said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. 
“Islamophobia has now embedded itself in mainstream philanthropic
institutions and threatens American democracy.”   

“These anti-Muslim groups have more than a billion dollars in collective revenue that is used to advance an anti-Muslim agenda,” said CAIR
National Research and Advocacy Manager Zainab Arain. “They lobby legislatures to pass anti-Muslim laws and policies, interfere in and
falsify school curriculum, and promote prejudicial and biased media
content.”  Other issues covered in the report include the placement of 
Islamophobes in national policy-making positions and the nationwide
campaign to introduce anti-Islam bills in state legislatures.  
CAIR National Research and Advocacy Director Dr. Abbas 
Barzegar said: “Anti-Muslim bigotry is now part of our mainstream
public life. Not because average Americans are Islamophobic, but
because special interest groups have abused tax-free charities,
foundations and non-profit laws to further their hate-filled agenda.”    

He noted that one outcome of the funding and promotion of
anti-Muslim hate and conspiracy theories has been the measurable
increase in anti-Muslim hate violence and discrimination.   

CAIR recently urged mosques and other Islamic institutions to take
measures outlined in its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community
Safety” booklet.   
SEE: CAIR Urges Muslim Communities to Step Up Security During
Upcoming Ramadan Fast Community members are urged to
report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR’s Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report        

CAIR’s app shares critical “know your rights” information and simplifies the process of reporting hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR urges
American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download
the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.    

For a quick download of CAIR’s civil rights app, click here: 
http://www.cair.com/app    

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy
organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect
civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.    
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la 
comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los 
musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.  
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CONTACT: CAIR Houston Civil Rights Attorney Arsalan Safiullah,
713-366-6686, asafiullah@cair.com;
CAIR-Houston Communications Coordinator Sobia Siddiqui,
832-849-0978, ssiddiqui@cair.com
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