The Federal Bureau of Investigation is severing its ties with the nation’s largest Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), amid evidence that the organization ha slinks to a support network for Hamas.
All local chapters of CAIR have been shunned in the wake of a 15-year investigation that culminated with the December 2008 conviction of Hamas fundraisers at a trial where CAIR was listed as an indicted co-conspirator. CAIR denies that it conspired in the case and has sued unsuccessfully to have its name removed from the list of co-conspirators. It also is protesting the FBI’s decision to sever relations.
“This is an unfortunate legacy of the Bush administration’s misguided and counterproductive efforts to marginalize mainstream American Muslim organizations. It is not surprising that we would be singled out by those in the previous administration who sought to prevent us from defending the civil rights of American Muslims,” CAIR’s national office said.
