New CAIR Report to Show How Anonymous Donors Use Mainstream Philanthropic Groups to Funnel Millions to Anti-Muslim Hate Groups

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, May 6, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will release 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. 

[NOTE: The release date coincides with the first day of Ramadan, which begins on or about May 6. Because the beginning of Islamic lunar months depends on the actual sighting of the new moon, the start and end dates for Ramadan may vary.]

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. 

WHAT: CAIR News Conference to Release, 'Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network'
WHEN: Monday, May 6, 10 a.m. ET 
WHERE: CAIR's Capitol  Hill Headquarters, 453 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC, 20003  
CONTACT: CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Abbas Barzegar, 202-742-6413, [email protected]; Research and Advocacy Manager Zainab Arain, 202-742-6410, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR Strategic Communications Manager Arsalan Bukhari, 206-931-3655, [email protected]

[MEDIA NOTE: CAIR's news conference will be live-streamed on its Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational A number of CAIR chapters nationwide will hold similar news conferences in their local areas. To find out if there is a news conference in your area, contact the nearest CAIR chapter. Go to: http://www.cair.com/chapters ] 

"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.  

CONTACT: CAIR National Research and Advocacy Director Abbas Barzegar, 202-742-6413, [email protected]; CAIR National Research and Advocacy Manager Zainab Arain, 202-742-6410, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR Strategic Communications Manager Arsalan Bukhari, 206-931-3655, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

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