U.S. Congress and Iran – Commingling at CAIR?

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.

[PREVIOUSLY: On Friday, we presented the undercover video from the 2008 CAIR Annual banquet showing that the “Interests Section of Iran” – the defacto embassy of Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism as named by the U.S. State Department – was thanked by Master of Ceremonies Ahmed Bedier for their support. And the “Interests Section of Iran” was also listed in the “Thanks To” section on page 20 in the 2008 printed program.]

October 24 – tonight’s the big night for the 15th annual fundraiser for CAIR – the Council on American Islamic Relations, named by the Justice Department in 2007 as an unindicted terrorism finance co-conspirator because of their ties to Hamas, a terrorist organization. This event should be of particular interest to Mr. Stuart A. Levey, Under Secretary in the Treasury Department’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence – as well as to Attorney General Eric Holder at the Department of Justice – because of the apparent support for CAIR’s 2008 annual fundraiser by the “Interests Section of Iran.”

Members of Congress should also note two matters of concern from the 2008 annual fundraiser, now that Big Government has presented documentary evidence that the “Interests Section of Iran” attended the event:


First, the attendance as keynote speaker by Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN), whose remarkable statements were recorded by our investigative team;

Second, the letters of support in CAIR’s 2008 fundraiser’s printed program from nine members of Congress, who chose to associate themselves with CAIR – and also with the foreign supporters and attendees at the banquet, including the “Interests Section of Iran.”

Remember that by the date of the 14th annual fundraiser – November 23, 2008 – over a year had already passed since federal prosecutors had named CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism finance trial, because of CAIR’s association with Hamas, a terrorist organization. These nine members of Congress chose to ignore federal prosecutors’ actions. Ironically, the next day – November 24, 2008 – the Holy Land defendants were found guilty on all 108 counts.

First: Ellison’s keynote speech. He unfortunately chose to shift from an entirely legitimate plea to the attendees to run for political office, to a questionable – possibly quite disturbing – challenge to target children – “to shape all those young minds” – presumably with the agenda of the event he was addressing, an event attended and apparently supported by the “Interests Section of Iran.”

Our investigative team was forced to record Ellison’s remarks on audio, rather than video, because our earlier videos from the beginning of the banquet had already been posted to Youtube by the the time Ellison spoke and alerted CAIR that we were taping. CAIR’s staffers were walking among the tables, looking for camcorders. Here’s the transcript of the excerpt from Ellison’s speech:

[audio: /files/2009/10/CAIR_14th_banquet_Ellison_shaping_all_those_young_minds.mp3]

“We need you to run for those school boards. We need you to run for those park boards. You know, I don’t know about your state or your city, but in the city of Minneapolis where I come from, the largest daycare provider in the city of Minneapolis is the Park Board. Think about that. Don’t you want to be in a position to shape all those young minds? Go run for the Park Board.”

Here’s how Congressman Keith Ellison may have wanted “to shape all those young minds”…In 2006, Ellison was exposed for his long association with the anti-semitic Nation of Islam and Louis Farrakhan, based on an investigative report published by the Weekly Standard: “Louis Farrakhan’s First Congressman.” And Fox News reported that Ellison’s hajj trip to Mecca was paid for by the Minnesota Muslim American Society, whose fatwa prompted Muslim taxi drivers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to refuse to transport passengers carrying liquor or accompanied by guide dogs.

Congress should ask Representative Ellison to repudiate his attendance at the 2008 CAIR event, given CAIR’s status as an unindicted co-conspirator in the terrorism finance trial and the FBI’s subsequent cutting of ties; and to repudiate his tacit approval of the attendance at his speech by the “Interests Section of Iran”; and to clarify whether his remarks about “shaping all those young minds” refer to teaching children the agendas – which he has previously espoused – of the Nation of Islam or the Muslim American Society.

But Ellison wasn’t alone in his support for the CAIR event, although he may have been the only Congressman who knew that the “Interests Section of Iran” attended the event.

Eight other members of Congress sent in letters of support, published in the 2008 CAIR program, which you can view here.



Here are a few excerpts from those letters, in the order presented in the printed program:

Lois Capps (D-CA): “extend greetings to everyone gathered for CAIR’s 14th annual banquet…I look forward to working together in the future.”

Tom Davis (R-VA) (now retired): “As you gather to share ideas, create alliance and network with one another, may you continue to foster the principles of brotherhood, equality, mutual assistance, religious tolerance, peace and justice…”

Keith Ellison (D- MN) (Ellison is the first Muslim member of Congress): “I would like to salute the work you have done over the last fourteen years defending civil rights, empowering American Muslims and enlightening Americans to a more accurate portrayal of Islam.”

Michael M. Honda (D-CA): “It is a great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all who are gathered for the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) 14th annual banquet….CAIR has worked diligently with Members of Congress to educate and advocate…”

Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX): “The Council’s mission is vital…an essential organization…I am grateful that I have such friends…the achievements and goals of CAIR are commendable and I thank you for the contributions made to the great state of Texas and the nation…I look forward to the continued success of your efforts.”

Betty McCollum (D-MN): “Thank you for your work!”

James P. Moran (D-VA): “I wish CAIR success in the coming year in its efforts…”

Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ): “Since 2003, the Council on American Islamic Relations’ New Jersey Chapter has encouraged progressive dialogue throughout my district and throughout many New Jersey communities. The New Jersey Chapter’s hard work does not go unrecognized by this office. Once again, I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations…to wish you the same success in your future you have had in your past.”

Loretta Sanchez (D-CA): “I would like to thank CAIR for its exemplary achievements…”

So, to sum up: Tonight is the 15th Annual banquet for the Hamas-linked, unindicted co-conspirator in terrorism finance CAIR. Last year at the 14th Annual event – November 23, 2008 – the “Interests Section of Iran” attended, and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) presented the keynote speech. Ellison knew that the “Interests Section of Iran” was in attendance. What had Iran been doing immediately before the banquet? Here’s a partial list:

AND FINALLY…

  • November 23, 2008: CAIR hosts their 14th Annual banquet, with thanks offered to the Interests Section of Iran, featuring keynote speaker Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN).

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