Feds Defend Partnership With Islamic Group Under Scrutiny

January 19, 2007

Author: Fred Lucas

Source: Crosswalk

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/1463700.html

(CNSNews.com) - Federal government agencies are defending their continuing cooperation with the nation's most high-profile Islamic organization at a time its alleged ties to terrorists have come under renewed scrutiny.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has historic links to a U.S.-based group charged with terrorist funding, and several individuals associated with CAIR have been jailed for terror-related offenses.

Its critics also charge that while CAIR officials condemn terrorist attacks, they commonly refuse to condemn terror groups by name, particularly the Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese-based Hizballah.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is the latest lawmaker to criticize the organization, based on concerns raised in law enforcement circles that CAIR gives aid to international terrorist groups.

At the same time, CAIR describes itself as the "go to" civil rights organization for federal agencies that deal with Muslims.