CAIR Asks Rep. King to Drop Witness Linked to Massacre Group

Walid Phares is 'former official' of group implicated in 1982 massacre of Palestinians

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/23/2011) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on Rep. Peter King (R-NY) to drop a witness from upcoming congressional hearings on Muslim "radicalization" because he is a "former official" of a group implicated in the 1982 massacre of civilian men, women and children at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Lebanon.

CAIR said the witness, Walid Phares, is named in an article highlighted on the website of the House Committee on Homeland Security that King chairs and which will hold next month's hearings.


In a letter sent today to Rep. King, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote:

"Mr. Phares is a 'former official with the Lebanese Forces, a Christian militia.' This militia was implicated, by Israel's official Kahan inquiry and other sources, in the 1982 massacre of civilian men, women and children at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Lebanon. Regarding the massacre, the French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that, 'Lebanese militias, notably the Lebanese Forces, went on a killing spree.'

"In 1999, Phares' World Lebanese Organization included among its 'leading members' both 'Col. Sharbel Baraket, former deputy commander of the [South Lebanese Army], and Etienne Sakr, head of the radical Guardians of the Cedars group.'

"Until its closure in 1999, the South Lebanese Army (SLA) controlled the notorious Khiam Prison. Human Rights Watch has stated, 'It is indisputable that systematic torture occurred in Khiam.' The SLA also perpetrated atrocities such as the 1984 massacre in which its members 'fired guns and hurled hand grenades at men rounded up for questioning.'

"Similarly, Sakr's group earned 'a reputation for atrocities' during the Lebanese civil war. Responding to questions about his group's role in the Sabra and Shatila massacres, Sakr said, 'We have the full right to deal with our enemies in Lebanon in the manner we find suitable.'"

After raising concerns about another proposed witness and King's unsubstantiated allegations against the American Muslim community, Awad concluded:

"The threat of violent extremism to our nation is a profoundly serious issue. We agree with you that political correctness should not interfere in any serious investigation of threats to our nation. However, we do believe that reliable witnesses and verifiable information are crucial to properly evaluating the threat.

"We therefore respectfully request that you drop Walid Phares as a witness for your planned hearing and reiterate our request that you meet with national leaders of the American Muslim community to discuss the negative impact your hearings could have on ordinary American Muslims."

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.

CAIR Calls for Libya No-Fly Zone to Protect Civilians

President Obama, Congress asked to support U.N. military exclusion zones

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/22/11) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on the Obama administration and Congress to support United Nations military no-fly and naval exclusion zones to protect Libyan civilians from attack by the regime of Muammar Qaddafi.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says reports coming out of Libya indicate that air and naval forces are being used to target peaceful protests by civilians seeking freedom from Qaddafi's dictatorial rule.

Hundreds have already been killed by Libyan forces, which have been accused of using fighter planes, attack helicopters and ships to bombard peaceful protesters.

Qaddafi today threatened protesters and vowed to "fight to the last drop of my blood."


In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

"The most important and immediate step the international community can take to save the lives of innocent civilians would be to impose United Nations air and sea military exclusion zones that would prevent the Libyan military from attacking its own people. Military and paramilitary forces of the Qaddafi regime must also be prohibited from operating in urban areas.

"We call on President Obama and members of Congress to use whatever influence they have to ensure that the Libyan people’s quest for freedom is not thwarted through the military crackdown that appears to be underway."

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.

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

Breaking News: CAIR Welcomes Mubarak’s Departure as Step Toward Freedom

Muslim civil rights group calls for ‘clean break’ from authoritarian rule

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/11/11) –- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as a “first step toward freedom” and said there must now be a clean break with authoritarian rule and a swift transition to an open and transparent civilian government.

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

“We welcome the departure of President Mubarak as a first step toward freedom in Egypt. We urge our own government and the international community to now support a swift transition to a civilian administration that operates in an open and transparent manner and is representative of all segments of Egypt’s diverse society.

“The struggle for freedom that began in Tunisia and spread throughout the region should be an example to all oppressed people and should help re-focus American policies in the Middle East and the Muslim world on positively engaging civil societies to promote democracy.

“We call on all those whose courageous actions in recent weeks brought about such historic changes to maintain peaceful pressure until all vestiges of past political repression and the denial of human rights are removed.

“Only through a clean break from dictatorship will the Egyptian people be able to begin the process of building a free and prosperous society in which minority rights are protected and the rule of law is maintained.

“Once again, people in the Muslim world are defying the myths and stereotypes about Islam, democracy and the peaceful expression of a universal desire for freedom and justice.”

Awad said CAIR also welcomed President Obama’s statements in support of a “genuine transition” to democracy in Egypt.

“President Obama demonstrated that he is on the right side of history by supporting the will of the Egyptian people,” said Awad.

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.

Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

Nihad Awad: "Congratulations to the Egyptian People"