Arab advocacy group with alleged terror ties celebrates first Muslim elected to US Senate

In an email obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, CAIR Action announced El-Sayed’s defeat of Republican Mike Rogers with “great excitement and joy,” celebrating his becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate.

“Despite endless Islamophobic attacks and over $30 million spent against his campaign, Senator-elect El-Sayed persevered,” the organization wrote.

“And he didn’t do it alone. Because of you, this win was possible. Our communities worked hard to make sure our voices were heard and that we are properly represented in the Senate.”

The message then turned the election announcement into a membership appeal.

“This is a historic win, but it is only the beginning. Join us in our mission to build on this victory and ensure Muslim political power lasts for the long-haul,” it stated. “Become a member of CAIR Action today and help us make sure this is the first of many triumphs.”

CAIR Action describes itself as a 501(c)(4) affiliate of CAIR.

The celebration follows revelations that El-Sayed received more than $115,000 from at least 41 donors who worked for or held leadership positions with CAIR. Contributors included national and chapter officials, as well as El-Sayed’s father-in-law, a CAIR-Michigan board member. El-Sayed also previously received payment for speaking at a CAIR event.

CAIR’s victory message comes against a lengthy record of controversies.

Federal prosecutors listed CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator and/or joint venturer in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism-financing case, whose leaders were convicted of funneling money to Hamas. A Justice Department inspector general report said trial evidence linked CAIR leaders to Hamas.

CAIR’s national executive director, Nihad Awad, drew outrage after saying he was “happy to see” Palestinians “breaking the siege” on October 7. The Biden White House condemned the remarks and disavowed CAIR’s involvement in its antisemitism strategy.

Zahra Billoo, CAIR’s San Francisco Bay Area executive director, posted “We are witnessing decolonization” on the day of the Hamas massacre. She later described slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as a “martyr.” Billoo also advised supporters to be strategic about public messaging, telling them not to post “I hate all Zionists” on social media while suggesting such sentiments could be expressed privately.

In a 2021 panel appearance, Billoo urged attention toward the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish federations, Zionist synagogues and campus Hillel chapters, warning that friendship did not mean those institutions supported her audience’s understanding of human rights.

CAIR-California chief executive Hussam Ayloush has compared Israel to Nazi Germany and said “Israel should be attacked.” His comments were among the leadership statements examined in reporting on the organization’s public funding.

The Intelligent Advocacy Network sought an investigation into the handling and disclosure of approximately $7.2 million in federal refugee-resettlement money distributed through CAIR’s California operations. The watchdog alleged that transfers among chapters obscured how the money was spent; those allegations were a complaint seeking investigation, rather than a finding that the money had been stolen.

The US Department of Health and Human Services then began examining approximately $30 million provided to CAIR affiliates for Afghan refugee resettlement, citing concerns about business practices and alleged extremist connections. The agency reported tracing approximately $1.3 million to CAIR’s Washington chapter through Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services.

CAIR previously settled litigation with former employee and board member Lori Saroya after a discovery ruling opened the door to scrutiny of its financial records. The dispute involved allegations about foreign funding, financial management, and treatment of employees.

On college campuses, CAIR represented plaintiffs suing Northwestern University over mandatory antisemitism training. The complaint argued that the program improperly equated criticism of Zionism with antisemitism and discriminated against Palestinian and Arab students.

The organization’s “Hostile Campus” ratings deducted points from universities adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. Schools could also lose points for protest-related arrests, discipline and statements CAIR considered biased.