The Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says “we seek to empower the Muslim community in America through political and social activism.”[1]
It is a sub-chapter of CAIR-Texas, which was founded by Ghassan Elashi. He was later convicted for illegal transactions to Syria and Libya. He and two bothers were also convicted of financing Hamas.
Elashi’s company, InfoCom Corp, gave about $270,000 to senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk through his wife up until 2001 when the Holy Land Foundation was shut down. Marzouk’s wife also made a $250,000 investment in Elashi’s company.
According to District Judge A. Joe Fish, Elashi lashed out during the proceedings and told the jury, “This is an extension of the Zionist conspiracy or something to that effect.”[2] His lawyer also alleged anti-Muslim bigotry, saying “It’s hard times for people of Middle Eastern descent.”[3]
The president of CAIR-Houston is Tarek Hussein.[4] In 2013, the Egyptian Al-Watan newspaper named him as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood lobby in the U.S.[5]
In 2007, current CAIR-Houston executive director Mustafaa Carroll said, “The root cause of terrorism is oppression.”[6] In late 2008, he criticized the description of Hamas as “terrorist,” saying “I think you can only blame Hamas for so long. It takes two to tango …”[7]
Carroll was criticized in 2013 for saying at the Texas Muslim Capitol Day, “If we are practicing Muslims, we are above the law of the land.” The event organizers later said it was taken out of context, noting that he also said, “Sharia means following the law of the land.”[8]
[1] “What is CAIR-Houston?” CAIR-Houston website, https://cairhouston.org/about.htm
[2] “An Unexpected Guest,” Counterterrorism Blog, August 20, 2007. https://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/08/an_unexpected_guest.php
[3] “3 Dallas Brothers Found Guilty in Terror-Funds Trial,” Associated Press, April 14, 2005. https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/3-Dallas-brothers-found-guilty-in-terror-funds-1928960.php
[4] “2012 CAIR Texas Banquet—President Dr. Tarek Hussein,” CAIR Texas Houston Youtube channel, September 17, 2013. https://youtu.be/ixoTPiiet_w
[5] Mauro, Ryan. “Egyptian Paper Names 30 Brotherhood Operatives in U.S.,” Clarion Project, November 5, 2013. https://www.clarionproject.org/analysis/egyptian-paper-names-30-brotherhood-operatives-us
[6] “CAIR’s True Colors,” IPT News, January 30, 2009. https://www.investigativeproject.org/986/cairs-true-colors
[7] Ibid.
[8] “Clarifying ‘…Above the Law’ Comment from 2013 Texas Muslim Capitol Day Session,” Texas Muslim Capitol Day website, March 6, 2013. https://texasmuslimcapitolday.com/2013/03/06/clarifying-comments-from-texas-muslim-capitol-day-sessions/