The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) formed in the early 90s as an advocacy organization for the American Muslim community. Arab and Muslim stereotypes had long existed in the media, painting Arab Muslims as terrorists. CAIR’s mission is to show mainstream America the virtues of Islam and to break down hatred directed against the Muslim community.
Most importantly, CAIR strives to reveal Muslims as the hardworking, morally pious, contributing members of society that they are.
In order to affect the media machine, CAIR develops relationships with reporters and issues press releases with Islamic perspectives. CAIR also offers seminars and workshops to empower Muslims to know their rights and get involved in the political process. Action alerts notify the community about direct actions they can get involved with.
This year, CAIR worked within several coalitions to advance certain projects throughout the year. One of their longest standing campaigns is their “Humanitarian Day” in South Dallas. On that day, Muslims from across DFW bring canned goods, clothes and toiletries to the hundred of downtown Dallas residents that are in need.
CAIR has participated in the program since 1996 and they have two Humanitarian Days a year, more than any other CAIR chapter. But, according to Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll, it’s still not enough. He wants it to be a regular program, with job training and education to effect sustainable change.
“We’re just trying to bring less suffering, but we want it to be bigger,” said Carroll. “We want people to be self-sufficient, to help people be independent. That can be hard to do with these folks who have issues back to their childhood that prevents them from going forward. The grand majority of people need help, regardless of their reasons, so we need to step up and do that.”
Carroll noted that the “American Dream” theory is nice as a concept, but sometimes is unworkable in practice. Many immigrant members of the community tend to look down on the homeless, as do others indoctrinated in American Western culture. Often, an attitude of ‘I got mine, so go get yours’ emerges, he said.
"I like the concept of self-determination and hard work, but I hate the ideas that come with success,” said Carroll. [People who succeed] forget who helped them. Nobody is an island, and neither is this country.”
In the end, the program is about reaffirming the Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) command to take care of the poor, he said. However, more than charity is needed to make a difference in a community that’s often riddles with drugs, mental problems and crime.
“Our community looks for people to help – and this is one way they can,” he said. “It’s just a gesture. It’s okay to be kind, but I’m not fooling myself to think it’s helping the problem, or even putting a dent in it.”
Additionally, CAIR was a member of the Children and Families for Humane Treatment Alliance (CAFHTA), which works primarily on immigration issues. Together with members of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Dallas Peace Center, CAFHTA shuttled nearly 80 Muslim, Latino and White activists to the Hutto Detention Center in Taylor, which imprisons mothers and children seeking political asylum.
At that event, Amnesty International-USA and Elizabeth Kucinich showed their solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters inside the prison walls. Former detainees spoke out about the atrocities, one mother with her formerly incarcerated toddler on her hip. Overall, the trip was exhilarating and created many bridges within different communities doing similar work.
CAIR also participated strongly in the Hungry for Justice Coalition, which supported the Holy Land Foundation defendants’ and their rights to a fair trial. One month ago, the coalition watched their fruits flower as not one single conviction was issued by the jury. CAIR and its director, Mustafaa Carroll, played a phenomenal role in the advocacy campaign, and helped contribute to the 200+ showing from the community when the verdict was announced. Celebrations ensued for the rest of that week, needless to say!
CAIR will continue advocating education and understanding into 2008. They have many projects lined up and will continue to speak out against intolerance and hate wherever it may exist. The political climate has indeed changed since Sept. 11, but there is still a lot of fear and misunderstanding out there. The Dallas Peace Center is proud to join hands with CAIR to seek our common goals of love, peace and understanding together.
