Terror apologist to lead new CAIR chapter
Abukar Arman, terror apologist, to lead new CAIR chapter in Columbus, Ohio
Citing growth in Ohio, the Council on American-Islamic Relations announced formation of a new chapter for Cleveland and vicinity, appointing Abukar Arman to head the new office.
Arman is on record as a Hamas enthusiast, writing recently on the terrorist organization’s pre-eminent place as representing displaced Arabs in Israel who want Israel destroyed.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations characterizes itself as the pre-eminent voice for Muslims in America, and for Islamic issues and interests, with nearly 40 affiliate chapters and a $ multi-million budget.
In a January 29, 2006, letter, Arman said Hamas’ ascendance politically to political party status was a “triumph” and a “giant step.”…“Some are shocked, others are perplexed, yet others are elated,” he said.
Leaving little doubt over his own place among those groups, he added, “Hamas has taken its political struggle to the ballot box!” [emphasis his]
The political struggle, legitimate to Arman despite terrorist attacks noted as “jihad,” included this, “remarkable expression of the will of a voiceless and indeed oppressed people,” in his words.
Arman called upon the international community to recognize Hamas, to “embrace this historical development,” and “welcome Hamas as a bona-fide representative of the Palestinian people,” he said.
His “Palestinian” reference is a politically charged term denoting the displaced Israeli Arabs who refuse Israeli governing authority, and in fact work for the destruction of Israel.
Ohio Freelance commentator Patrick Poole said on Sunday he is saddened by what he characterized as CAIR Ohio’s further descent into extremism.
Poole said Arman also is an apologist for Somali state terrorism and a defender of al-Qaeda-backed Somali Islamic Courts Union. “Then again, no one should be surprised at this sudden lurch towards extremism by CAIR-Ohio,” Poole said.
“Abukar Arman has been on the state chapter board, and with the very sudden flight of his business partner Ahmad Al-Akhras to the Middle East, Arman has no doubt been designated…to help keep a tight rein on the group in his absence.”
Akhras is an Ohio Chapter founder and a CAIR national vice-chairman.
Poole said Arman's new status as a chapter leader will lead to a complete evaporation of the Ohio chapter mask of moderation.
Poole said Arman’s problems include enthusiasm for terrorist organizations and putting on events in Ohio with known Islamic extremists.
He added his concern about CAIR begins where CAIR appears to leave behind any democratic principals as an organization benevolent to America’s heritage of freedom principles.
“When, if ever, did CAIR ever go to the Muslim American community in Ohio for the right to speak in their name?” he said. “The answer is: never.”
Poole also rips Arman for not being an American citizen – this is a deepening problem at CAIR because of “ties to foreign powers and foreign agents,” he said.
“Ahmad Al-Akhras has no difficulty turning to non-US citizens to run the show in order to keep his iron-fisted grip on the CAIR, Ohio, chapter following his flight.”
The CAIR announcements for Arman's appointment stated he “has been elected by the state board to be president of the new local Columbus chapter of CAIR-Ohio,” Asma Mobin-Uddin said.
Uddin is president of the state board of CAIR-Ohio, which oversees the Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland chapters.
I wanted to let everyone know…This year due to continued growth, we have separated the Columbus board into its own local entity, overseen by the CAIR-Ohio state board,” he added.