Judge Rules Against Controversial Muslim Group, They Must Reveal Their Top Donors

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has long been a polarizing force in American politics. While it describes itself as a “Muslim civil rights group,” its history includes troubling episodes.

CAIR has faced accusations of supporting extremist views, with critics citing instances where its members have applauded acts of violence or taken stances that raise serious questions. This isn’t just about political influence—it’s about a group that many say plays both sides of the field when it comes to condemning terrorism and supporting human rights.

The group’s controversies aren’t new. In fact, CAIR has repeatedly made headlines for the wrong reasons. It has ties to individuals with troubling records to public statements that have raised eyebrows.

CAIR has managed to become a lightning rod. Now, CAIR’s own legal gamble has spectacularly backfired, exposing some of the very things it might prefer to keep hidden.

From Daily Wire:
A judge ruled on Monday that the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) must open its books and potentially reveal foreign funding sources, the New York Post reported…

CAIR was at the center of controversy last year, which caused the Biden White House to distance itself from the group. After Hamas’ brutal October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said he was “happy to see” Gazans “breaking the siege and throwing down the shackles of their own land.”

A Legal Boomerang

It all started with a defamation lawsuit against former CAIR employee Lori Saroya. CAIR accused Saroya of spreading damaging claims, including allegations that the organization was funded by terrorist groups.

The stakes were high. If true, such allegations could dismantle the group’s credibility and fundraising efforts.

But things didn’t go as planned. CAIR dropped its suit against Saroya, likely to avoid digging into its own closets. Saroya, however, fired back with a defamation complaint of her own.

This led to a major headache for CAIR. On Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Schultz ruled that CAIR must open its books as part of the discovery process. Yes, that means potentially revealing funding sources—including whether foreign governments or terrorist-linked organizations have been involved.

Judge’s Ruling: The Real Drama

Judge Schultz didn’t hold back. In his ruling, he said Saroya’s claims about foreign funding and mismanagement were fair game for investigation.

CAIR, he argued, hadn’t shown any reason why such discovery would be too burdensome. Translation: CAIR’s financials are now on the table. Ouch.

Saroya’s attorney, Jeffrey Robbins, called the ruling “the mother of all legal boomerangs.” And he’s not exaggerating.

The decision means CAIR may have to cough up evidence about everything from fundraising practices to how it treats employees who raise concerns. Allegations of sexual harassment retaliation? Mismanagement of donor money? Concealed foreign funding? All of it could come to light.

A History of Controversy

This ruling couldn’t come at a worse time for CAIR. Just last year, the Biden administration began to distance itself from the group after its leaders made shocking statements.

When Hamas carried out its brutal October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad called the attack an act of liberation. “Happy to see” Gazans “breaking the siege,” he said. That’s right—while innocent Israelis were being murdered, Awad was celebrating.

CAIR’s official social media also joined in the outrageously tone-deaf messaging. As images of Hamas’ atrocities emerged, CAIR condemned Israel and framed the violence as a consequence of “racist oppression.”

This isn’t just PR gone wrong. It’s a pattern of behavior that undermines the group’s claims of being a voice for peace and justice.

The judge’s decision not only allows Saroya’s legal team to dig deep into CAIR’s operations, but it also threatens to reveal secrets that could damage the group permanently.

How CAIR handles this situation will determine its future, but one thing is clear: the transparency it claims to champion is now being forced upon it.

Key Takeaways:

• CAIR’s sketchy history is catching up to it—allegations of foreign funding and extremist ties are now under scrutiny.
• A judge has ordered CAIR to open its books, exposing potentially damaging details about its operations.
• The group’s controversies, including troubling statements after Hamas’ 2023 attack, continue to erode its credibility.

Source: Daily Wire