CAIR Calls on GOP Women's Group to Stop Promoting Anti-Muslim Speakers

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and all those concerned about the proliferation of Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry in our society to contact the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) to ask the group to end its support of anti-Muslim organizations and speakers. [NFRW claims to be "one of the largest and most influential women's political organizations in the country."]

SEE CAIR ACTION ALERT:
http://tinyurl.com/ngf8s3v

CAIR's request comes in the wake of a letter it sent to NFRW leaders asking them to institute internal reforms to end the promotion of bigotry and following an announcement that the Lake Federated Republican Women's Club in Leesburg, Fla. -- an NFRW affiliate -- will host Islamophobe Jonathan Matusitz at an event on Wednesday.

In a video released recently by CAIR-FL, Matusitz says:

* "Coexistence with Islam is not possible."

* "My colleagues say Islam is a religion of peace. I say it's a religion of pieces -- piece of body here, piece of body there."

* "When I see those 'coexist' bumper stickers on cars, I laugh because I think it's ridiculous."

* "Anybody with a fraction of a brain should be afraid of Islam because it's a dangerous doctrine."

SEE: Exposed: UCF Prof. Jonathan Matusitz's Irrational Anti-Muslim Prejudice 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpGNXn_5fk0  

On February 12, 2014, CAIR wrote to NFRW President Kathy Brugger to seek clarification of the group's views of American Muslims. In that letter, CAIR Department to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia Director Corey Saylor noted, "CAIR researchers have found a troubling trend of anti-Muslim sentiment in materials on your organization's web site and in activities of NFRW clubs."

In his letter, Saylor also wrote:

"NFRW clubs have a record of hosting speakers associated with anti-Muslim bias. The below events, all from 2013, are offered as an illustration:

* New York's Nassau County Federation for Republican Women invited key U.S. Islamophobe Pamela Geller to give a presentation.

* Iowa's Magic Valley Republican Women hosted an event alleging 'financial jihad' and a 'Sharia Effect through Wall Street Banking.'

* California's Orange County Federation of Republican Women hosted Steve Martel of ACT! For America to lecture on the 'the true history, doctrines and goals of Sharia-compliant Islamists.'

* When Harmeet Dhillon, a Sikh, ran for the position of vice chair of the California state Republican Party, Vera Eyzendooren, president of the San Bernardino County Federation of Republican Women, wrote, 'I was told by one of Harmeet's friends that because of her religion, her loyalty is to the Muslim religion. 'So she will defend a Muslim beheading two men without any hesitation … she is not Republican.' In a welcome move, the California Federation of Republican Women opposed Eyzendooren's comments."

Saylor followed up on February 18, saying he had subsequently been informed that the Bainbridge Island Republican Women in Washington state -- another NFRW affiliate -- hosted an anti-Muslim speaker on February 12.

The federation has not acknowledged receipt of CAIR's letter or the emails following it up, and has not taken any visible action to end its promotion of anti-Muslim prejudice.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR Department to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, E-Mail [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail:[email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations