The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) last night held its 12th Annual Fundraising Banquet in Arlington, Virginia. At the dinner, some 1,000 Muslim community members and activists, interfaith representatives and diplomats from Muslim nations heard addresses by several members of Congress, a representative of the FBI and by Amy Goodman of Democracy Now. Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim ever elected to Congress on November 7, who was slated to give the keynote address was unable to attend tonight s dinner, Instead Representative Mike Honda (D-CA) spoke on his behalf thanking the American Muslim community for their support and urged them to continue to work together with the American community, government officials and their representatives in order to fight terrorism and make the United States a safer country to live in. For his part, Congressman Albert Wynn (D-MD) praised CAIR s leadership, saying: I am very impressed with CAIR s leadership and their involvement in the community. He said that there must be a balance between security and civil liberties, adding: Regarding Guantanamo prisoners, as Americans, we must adhere to the Geneva Convention to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to appear before a judge. Rep. Wynn stressed, saying: I am the sponsor of a Hate Crime Legislation. Hate against Muslims is unacceptable. That is truly un-American. Commenting on the war on terror and the war in Iraq, Rep. Wynn said: We made mistakes. It is time to take a new direction. We cannot win the war in Iraq militarily. Meanwhile, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad thanked the participants for their support and contribution to the Muslim cause during the difficult times that Muslims are witnessing in the United States. CAIR is America s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
