New CAIR Report to Show How Anonymous Donors Use Mainstream Philanthropic Groups to Funnel Millions to Anti-Muslim Hate Groups
MEDIA ADVISORY
New CAIR Report to Show How Anonymous Donors Use Mainstream Philanthropic Groups to Funnel Millions to Anti-Muslim Hate Groups
Report, ‘Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network,’ details how anti-Muslim hate groups have exploited American charities
(NEW YORK, N.Y., 5/2/19) – On Monday, May 6, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will release a one-of-its-kind report detailing a list of philanthropic foundations, many of them mainstream, that were used by anonymous special interest donors to funnel almost $125 million between 2014 and 2016 to anti-Muslim hate groups.
[NOTE: The release date coincides with the first day of Ramadan, which begins on or about May 6. Because the beginning of Islamic lunar months depends on the actual sighting of the new moon, the start and end dates for Ramadan may vary.]
CAIR’s report, “Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network,” documents how more than 1,000 foundations funneled almost $125 million to 39 anti-Muslim hate groups during that period, which saw a marked increase in anti-Muslim hate violence and discrimination.
The money was used to support anti-Muslim legislation and policies, conduct anti-Muslim lobbying, distribute false and defamatory information to mainstream media and on social media, and run public campaigns promoting conspiracy theories tied to issues such as mosque construction.
WHAT: CAIR-NY News Conference to Release, ‘Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network’
WHEN: Monday, May 6, 10 a.m. EST
WHERE: 575 Fifth Avenue, Room 14B, New York, NY 10017
CONTACT: CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006.
[MEDIA NOTE: CAIR-NY’s news conference will be live-streamed on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewYork/]
“These anti-Muslim groups have access to more than a billion dollars that is used to promote their anti-Muslim agenda,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “They use these resources to advance hate and anti-Muslim conspiracy theories and promote prejudicial and biased media content.”
Other issues covered in the report include the placement of Islamophobes in national policy-making positions and the nationwide campaign to introduce anti-Islam bills in state legislatures.
CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed said: “Islamophobia is now part of our mainstream public life because special interest groups have abused tax-free charities, foundations and non-profit laws to further their hate-filled agenda.”
He noted that one outcome of the funding and promotion of anti-Muslim hate and conspiracy theories has been the measurable increase in anti-Muslim hate violence and discrimination.
CAIR recently urged mosques and other Islamic institutions to take measures outlined in its "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" booklet.
SEE: CAIR Urges Muslim Communities to Step Up Security During Upcoming Ramadan Fast
Community members are urged to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY's Civil Rights Department at 646-665-7599 or by filing a report at: https://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report
CAIR’s app shares critical “know your rights” information and simplifies the process of reporting hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR urges American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.
For a quick download of CAIR’s civil rights app, click here: http://www.cair.com/app
CAIR-NY is New York’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006.