USA: Two US Islamic Groups, Including CAIR, Shocked to Find Themselves Designated As Terrorists

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CAIR called on the UAE government to remove from the list itself, MAS, “and other civil society organizations that peacefully promote civil and democratic rights..."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Cybercast News Service
By Patrick Goodenough | November 16, 2014

[Excerpts]

Two Islamic groups in the U.S. that portray themselves as moderate and mainstream expressed shock to learn at the weekend that the United Arab Emirates had included them in a list of terrorist organizations.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which describes itself as “America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization,” and the Muslim American Society (MAS), which calls itself “a religious community service organization,” were among more than 80 groups whose designation was approved by the UAE cabinet and announced on Saturday.

Others listed included al-Qaeda and its various affiliates in Pakistan, Syria, Yemen and North Africa; the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS/ISIL); the Muslim Brotherhood and several of its U.K.- and Europe-based affiliates; and some Iranian-backed radical Shi’ite groups.

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CAIR said it was seeking clarification from the UAE about the “bizarre and shocking” report on its designation.

“There is absolutely no factual basis for the inclusion CAIR and other American and European civil rights and advocacy groups on this list,” it said in a statement. “Like the rest of the mainstream institutions representing the American Muslim community, CAIR’s advocacy model is the antithesis of the narrative of violent extremists.”

CAIR called on the UAE government to remove from the list itself, MAS, “and other civil society organizations that peacefully promote civil and democratic rights and that oppose terrorism whenever it occurs, wherever it occurs and whoever carries it out.”

MAS said it was “shocked” to learn about its designation, was seeking official clarification from the UAE, and wanted to seek U.S. government help “to address this issue.”

“The Muslim American Society is a religious community service organization that serves people in the United States,” it said. “We have no dealings with the United Arab Emirates, and hence are perplexed by this news.”

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