In Defense of the Constitution

Anti-CAIR Press Release 005/03

April 21, 2003




ACAIR Condemns CAIR’s Silence in LAX Terrorist Shooting

       When news was received that the FBI had concluded the LAX El AL shooting by Mr. Hesham Hadayet was indeed a terrorist act, ACAIR looked to the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) for comment.  After all, CAIR continually laments that Muslims should not be automatically labeled as “terrorists” when accused of a violent crime. 

      Indeed, CAIR demands that a presumption of innocence is to be made according to our laws.  We find that CAIR is strangely silent now that the FBI has made the determination that the shooting was a terrorist act committed by a Muslim.  Once again, CAIR, (a “Civil Rights” promoting organization) is silent to the facts. 

     Had the facts been otherwise (If the FBI had failed to show the shooting as terrorism related), we believe that CAIR would have issued a Press Release and demanded TV air time to decry yet another case of Islamophobia.  CAIR has yet again clearly demonstrated active support for Islamist terrorism by refusing to acknowledge, and condemn, this terrorist shooting. 

     Once again, the silence from CAIR…is deafening. 

 

ACAIR Questions CAIR’s Hypocrisy in Florida Bombing/Shooting Plot

      In a press release dated February 26, 2003, (http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=1005&page=NR) the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) questioned whether a “double standard” applied in the case of Mrs. Kristi Goldstein, a suspected co-conspirator with her husband in plans to blow up Islamic institutions in Florida.  According to CAIR, authorities found explosives, bomb making materials, bullet proof vests, ammunition and a list of Mosques and Islamic
centers in the couples home.

      According to CAIR, “Under the agreement with prosecutors, Goldstein entered a guilty plea today to a single
count of possession of illegal firearms, referring to five bombs that were to be used in the attacks. She also
agreed to cooperate with authorities in testifying against her husband and others who may have been part
of the terrorist cell.”

      ACAIR finds it curious that CAIR refers to a “terrorist cell” when no evidence of such a cell exists.  Once again, CAIR uses inflammatory language designed to garner sympathy for Muslims.

     According to CAIR-Florida Executive Director, Mr. Altaf Ali, "This was a clear case of terrorism directed at
the Muslim community in Florida. Unfortunately, the case was not treated with the seriousness required by the
nature of the charges or the potential loss of life that would have resulted had the terrorist plot been carried out.”
 
     Mr. Ali goes on to note that law enforcement authorities have failed to release the list of Islamic institutions targeted in the plot.  He added that many in the Florida Islamic community believe the case would have been handled differently had the defendants been Muslims.


     ACAIR notes that Mr. Ali’s declaration that this is clear cut case of terrorism is out of line with the facts of the case.  In today’s hyper-sensitive political climate, law-enforcement authorities are extremely sensitive to charges of anti-minority bias. 

     Indeed, one has only to look at the “Beltway Shooters” case for an object lesson on political correctness gone awry.  If Florida authorities had felt the Goldstein’s had committed a terrorist act, there is little doubt the charge would have been pursued.

     CAIR-Florida Communications Director, Mr. Ahmed Bedier stated, "We are pleased with the arrest and
conviction of Ms. Goldstein, even though on reduced charges, but we are also concerned that other members
of this terrorist cell may be at large and ready to carry out the original plot,"

     We find this statement disturbing and purposely designed to provoke outrage among CAIR’s followers.  No evidence has been brought forward that other members of the supposed “terrorist cell” exist.  If Mr. Bedier has knowledge to the contrary, it is his responsibility to bring this to the attention of law enforcement authorities.     

 

For more information:

Andrew Whitehead

ajwhitehead@anti-cair-net.org

ACAIR
www.anti-cair-net.org