CAIR- Greater Los Angeles Area

[islamicorg]

The Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) says it “seeks to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.”[2]

The California branch of CAIR transferred $325,000 to the North American Islamic Trust in 2003.[3]

CAIR-LA’s Executive Director has been Hussam Ayloush since 1998.[4] In December 2001, CAIR-CA’s website published a photo of him with Sheikh Yousef al-Qaradawi, the Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader and an avid supporter of Hamas.[5] During a discussion about zakat in October 2002, he referenced the view of “many scholars,” but only mentioned Qaradawi.[6]

On November 28, he reposted an article on his blog entitled, “Those Who Support Democracy Must Welcome the Rise of Political Islam.”[7] Political Islam is another term for the Islamist ideology followed by groups like the Brotherhood, where a nation is ruled by Sharia law in the place of democracy.

In May 2004, he said that the U.S. had become the “new Saddam,” the war on terror was a “war on Muslims” and implored the country to “end this hypocrisy, this hypocrisy that we are better than the other dictator.”[8]

In March 2008, he said that in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, Somalia and other Muslim countries, the U.S. is “supporting occupation, instability, the interests of defense and war companies and the corrupt allies and puppet regimes.” He envisioned “an America that can defeat terrorists without having to act like one.”[9]

In January 2004, he spoke of the “legitimate right of the Palestinians to defend themselves against the Israeli occupation”[10] and in 2006, he described the kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers by Hamas and Hezbollah as a “military operation.”

The Israeli response, on the other hand, he said was “very reminiscent to the Nazi style of collective punishment in response to a resistance.”[11]  He has also posted a picture of an Israeli fighter jet with the words, “guilty Israeli terrorists” and has put up photos of a dead Palestinian baby wrapped in the flag of Hamas. [12]

In 2006, however, he told a columnist that he and CAIR rejected comments made by Imam Abdel Malik-Ali in support of terrorism in Israel, saying, “The targeting of civilians is a crime that can never be justified, no matter what just cause it claims to serve.”[13]

On June 23, 2007, Ayloush republished an article arguing that Hamas is better than Fatah. Titled “West Chooses Fatah but Palestinians Don’t,” it says, “Here in the U.S., Hamas is routinely demonized, known primary for its attacks on civilians.” It concedes that both Hamas and Fatah have done “unspeakable” things, but that nevertheless, the U.S. should embrace Hamas.

“Hamas did not run into Western opposition because of its Islamic ideology but because of its opposition to (and resistance to) the Israeli occupation. Ironically, it is Hamas that is taking the stands that would be prerequisites for a true two-state peace plan,” the author writes.[14]

In another blog post, he links to a statement by has-been Hollywood star Roseanne Barr denouncing Israel as a “Nazi state.”[15] In the comments underneath the post, he said his purpose was to highlight Jews “willing to take a principled stand in criticizing Israel’s racism and savagery.” An e-mail from Ayloush in 2002 shows why he favors her comments. He wrote, “Indeed, the zionazis are a bunch of nice people; just like their nazi brethren! It is just that the world keeps making up lies about them! It is so unfair.”[16]

Although Ayloush has warned Muslims against embracing false conspiracy theories,[17] he consistently depicts the actions taken by the U.S. government against Hamas/Muslim Brotherhood entities as acts of oppression. He ridiculed the government for freezing the assets of the Holy Land Foundation in 2001, saying, “As we see one charitable organization after the other having its assets frozen and its offices closed, you know, the shift from fighting terrorism is slowly happening towards a fight against symbols of Islam or Islamic activism in the U.S.”[18]

The Holy Land Foundation’s leaders were put on trial in 2008 in what was dubbed  the “largest terrorism financing prosecution in American history.” In 2009, the founders of the organization were given life sentences for “funneling $12 million to Hamas.”

He even said the closing of these so-called “charities” is an act of genocide. On June 21, 2006, he said, “And any attempt to close down a legitimate relief organization is an attempt to starve the Palestinian people. Any attempt to close down relief for the Palestinians is an attempt at genocide.”[19] The event he spoke at was sponsored by CAIR, the Muslim American Society, the Muslim Students Association West Zone and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

Ayloush preaches that there is an “Islamophobia” network in the U.S. that spreads “anti-Muslim” sentiment and promotes conflict with the Muslim world and “nine out of ten” are right-wing supporters of Israel. The goal, Ayloush assets, is to “demonize the Palestinians” and “anyone who dares to speak up for the rights of the Palestinians in order to cover up the crimes committed by Israel.”[20]

Ayloush also defends some known extremists. He stands by the innocence of Sami al-Arian, who was convicted for being a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group. He has spoken[21] at events to raise money for his legal fees.[22] He also stood up for Sheikh Wagdy Ghoneim, an Islamist cleric that was deported from the country.[23]

Ayloush is also a leading critic of the government’s counter-terrorism efforts and tells Muslims that they are part of a systematic persecution. In April 2009, he spoke at a mosque and said that the FBI mustn’t be allowed to have informants in mosques. “Our youth, who they [the FBI] try to radicalize, are off limits.”[24] He claims that the FBI hires informants to “instigate acts of violence to ruin the reputation of the Muslim community.”[25]

The Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) says it “seeks to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.”[2]

The California branch of CAIR transferred $325,000 to the North American Islamic Trust in 2003.[3]

CAIR-LA’s Executive Director has been Hussam Ayloush since 1998.[4] In December 2001, CAIR-CA’s website published a photo of him with Sheikh Yousef al-Qaradawi, the Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader and an avid supporter of Hamas.[5] During a discussion about zakat in October 2002, he referenced the view of “many scholars,” but only mentioned Qaradawi.[6]

On November 28, he reposted an article on his blog entitled, “Those Who Support Democracy Must Welcome the Rise of Political Islam.”[7] Political Islam is another term for the Islamist ideology followed by groups like the Brotherhood, where a nation is ruled by Sharia law in the place of democracy.

In May 2004, he said that the U.S. had become the “new Saddam,” the war on terror was a “war on Muslims” and implored the country to “end this hypocrisy, this hypocrisy that we are better than the other dictator.”[8]

In March 2008, he said that in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, Somalia and other Muslim countries, the U.S. is “supporting occupation, instability, the interests of defense and war companies and the corrupt allies and puppet regimes.” He envisioned “an America that can defeat terrorists without having to act like one.”[9]

In January 2004, he spoke of the “legitimate right of the Palestinians to defend themselves against the Israeli occupation”[10] and in 2006, he described the kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers by Hamas and Hezbollah as a “military operation.”

The Israeli response, on the other hand, he said was “very reminiscent to the Nazi style of collective punishment in response to a resistance.”[11]  He has also posted a picture of an Israeli fighter jet with the words, “guilty Israeli terrorists” and has put up photos of a dead Palestinian baby wrapped in the flag of Hamas. [12]

In 2006, however, he told a columnist that he and CAIR rejected comments made by Imam Abdel Malik-Ali in support of terrorism in Israel, saying, “The targeting of civilians is a crime that can never be justified, no matter what just cause it claims to serve.”[13]

On June 23, 2007, Ayloush republished an article arguing that Hamas is better than Fatah. Titled “West Chooses Fatah but Palestinians Don’t,” it says, “Here in the U.S., Hamas is routinely demonized, known primary for its attacks on civilians.” It concedes that both Hamas and Fatah have done “unspeakable” things, but that nevertheless, the U.S. should embrace Hamas.

“Hamas did not run into Western opposition because of its Islamic ideology but because of its opposition to (and resistance to) the Israeli occupation. Ironically, it is Hamas that is taking the stands that would be prerequisites for a true two-state peace plan,” the author writes.[14]

In another blog post, he links to a statement by has-been Hollywood star Roseanne Barr denouncing Israel as a “Nazi state.”[15] In the comments underneath the post, he said his purpose was to highlight Jews “willing to take a principled stand in criticizing Israel’s racism and savagery.” An e-mail from Ayloush in 2002 shows why he favors her comments. He wrote, “Indeed, the zionazis are a bunch of nice people; just like their nazi brethren! It is just that the world keeps making up lies about them! It is so unfair.”[16]

Although Ayloush has warned Muslims against embracing false conspiracy theories,[17] he consistently depicts the actions taken by the U.S. government against Hamas/Muslim Brotherhood entities as acts of oppression. He ridiculed the government for freezing the assets of the Holy Land Foundation in 2001, saying, “As we see one charitable organization after the other having its assets frozen and its offices closed, you know, the shift from fighting terrorism is slowly happening towards a fight against symbols of Islam or Islamic activism in the U.S.”[18]

The Holy Land Foundation’s leaders were put on trial in 2008 in what was dubbed  the “largest terrorism financing prosecution in American history.” In 2009, the founders of the organization were given life sentences for “funneling $12 million to Hamas.”

He even said the closing of these so-called “charities” is an act of genocide. On June 21, 2006, he said, “And any attempt to close down a legitimate relief organization is an attempt to starve the Palestinian people. Any attempt to close down relief for the Palestinians is an attempt at genocide.”[19] The event he spoke at was sponsored by CAIR, the Muslim American Society, the Muslim Students Association West Zone and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

Ayloush preaches that there is an “Islamophobia” network in the U.S. that spreads “anti-Muslim” sentiment and promotes conflict with the Muslim world and “nine out of ten” are right-wing supporters of Israel. The goal, Ayloush assets, is to “demonize the Palestinians” and “anyone who dares to speak up for the rights of the Palestinians in order to cover up the crimes committed by Israel.”[20]

Ayloush also defends some known extremists. He stands by the innocence of Sami al-Arian, who was convicted for being a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group. He has spoken[21] at events to raise money for his legal fees.[22] He also stood up for Sheikh Wagdy Ghoneim, an Islamist cleric that was deported from the country.[23]

Ayloush is also a leading critic of the government’s counter-terrorism efforts and tells Muslims that they are part of a systematic persecution. In April 2009, he spoke at a mosque and said that the FBI mustn’t be allowed to have informants in mosques. “Our youth, who they [the FBI] try to radicalize, are off limits.”[24] He claims that the FBI hires informants to “instigate acts of violence to ruin the reputation of the Muslim community.”[25]