CAIR: Members of Congress Blast Claims That Muslim Interns are 'Spies'

CAIR receives death threat after right-wing reps launch Muslim-bashing book

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Muslim
civil rights and advocacy organization today applauded statements by members
of the U.S. House of Representatives rejecting claims made yesterday by
several of their GOP colleagues that Muslim congressional interns are "spies."

The Council on American-Islamic relations (CAIR) also said that one of its
directors has received a death threat after the Wednesday launch of a
"Muslim-bashing" book by several right-wing members of Congress. CAIR's
offices in Washington, D.C., Detroit, and Northern and Southern California
also received obscene phone calls. The San Diego caller referenced the
anti-Muslim book.

CAIR said its national communications director today received a faxed death
threat that stated: "Muslim Neanderthal Dougie Hooper (AKA Ibrahim Hooper)
will be soon hanged for treason against the United States." The fax also
included an image of a gallows with the label "Dougie Hooper." CAIR has
informed the FBI of the threat.

SEE: Death Threat Against CAIR Official
http://tinyurl.com/deaththreat

Yesterday, several right-wing members of Congress launched a book called
"Muslim Mafia" and asked for an investigation of Muslim "spies" on Capitol
Hill. The book promoted by the elected officials contains a reference to CAIR
National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper as "Dougie Hooper."

An article in Politico said the alleged spying by Muslims was in fact a
"fairly straight forward public relations and lobbying strategy," with the
goals of "'placing Muslim interns in congressional offices' and registering
people to vote."

SEE: Islam Group Ridicules Muslim 'Spies' Claim (Politico)
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28283.html

In response to the right-wing smears, the Atlanta Journal called CAIR a
"mainstream, all-American civil liberties and advocacy group."

SEE: Paul Broun and Dr. Strangelove
http://tinyurl.com/ajcoped

An article on Salon.com called the actions of the elected officials who
launched the anti-Muslim book the "most despicable domestic political event of
the year." The article calls the co-author of "Muslim Mafia" a "ranting,
insane hatemonger."

SEE: GOP House Members Call for Investigation of Muslim Political Activity
(Salon)
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/10/15/investigation/index.html
SEE ALSO: The Muslims are Coming!
http://tinyurl.com/deanoped

The demand for a probe of Muslim "spies" in Congress drew condemnation from
other elected officials, one of whom called it a "witch hunt."

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) issued a statement yesterday, which read in part:
"I am appalled by this request [for an investigation of Muslim 'spies' in
Congress], and the insinuation that Muslim-Americans are somehow conspiring
against this country through their work on Capitol Hill. As a strong advocate
for diversity and religious freedom, I find these claims to be outrageous and
offensive. I urge the rest of my colleagues to join me in denouncing this
witch hunt, which is clearly intended to create fear and distrust in our
Capitol Hill community."

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) today issued the
following statement in support of American Muslim congressional interns:

"It shouldn't need to be said in 2009, and after the historic election of our
first African-American president, but let me remind all my colleagues that
patriotic Americans of all races, religions, and beliefs have the right - and
the responsibility - to participate in our political process, including by
volunteering to work in Congressional offices. Numerous Muslim-American
interns have served the House ably and they deserve our appreciation and
respect, not attacks on their character or patriotism."

SEE: Conyers Blasts GOP Lawmakers' Accusations of Muslim 'Spies'
http://tinyurl.com/conyersblasts

Dave Gaubatz, the anti-Islam blogger who co-authored "Muslim Mafia," has a
long history of bigotry targeting Islam and Muslims. Gaubatz has called Islam
an "evil ideology" and worked for a racist group that sought to make
"adherence to Islam" punishable by a 20-year prison term. A post yesterday on
his blog outlined his wish to "destroy CAIR."

SEE: Fox Trumpets CAIR Conspiracy Theory Charges Made by Author with
Anti-Islam History
http://mediamatters.org/research/200910150015
SEE ALSO: Republican Lawmakers Leading Witch Hunt Against Muslim Group
http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/200910150008

In the past, Gaubatz has been questioned by state and federal law enforcement
authorities for actions that were perceived as those of a stalker. CAIR has
filed a criminal report against Gaubatz over materials he and his son say they
stole from the civil rights group's offices.

Along with his past rhetorical attacks on CAIR, Gaubatz has called President
Obama a "crack head" and wrote that "a vote for Hussein Obama is a vote for
Sharia Law." He also called Islam a "terminal disease that once spread is hard
to destroy."

In a statement, CAIR said:

"It is troubling that right-wing elected officials would serve as publicity
agents for extremists who seek to bar an American minority from exercising its
constitutionally-protected rights. We applaud those who stand up for the right
of all Americans to participate fully in our nation's political system.

"CAIR calls on the FBI to investigate the death threat against its national
communications director and to bring the perpetrators to justice."

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 National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or
202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina
Rubin, 202-488-8787 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR National Communications Director, +1-202-488-8787,
+1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, Amina Rubin of CAIR Communications
Coordinator, +1-202-488-8787, +1-202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com