Asalaamu alaykum beloved community,
What is it like to lose a friend to betrayal and sabotage of the worst kind? Bismillah. I didn’t have the words last night and I am still not sure if I do.
The news of Romin Iqbal, a long-time colleague, and the CAIR Columbus Executive Director, betraying our confidences has shaken us.
For years, this man we trusted provided confidential information about our work, personnel, and more to Steven Emerson and his hate group, the so-called Investigative Project on Terrorism.
Hypocrisy is not a new tactic though. Our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was targeted by similar. People would seek to be close to him while aligning with the groups working to harm him. Major American civil rights and social justice groups have been similarly targeted by hate groups and the government for decades.
Still, that does not make it any less hard or heartbreaking when it happens.
The fact that there is this level of obsession with CAIR and its leaders and work in the right-wing, in anti-Muslim circles, and even among corrupt government actors, tells me we are doing something right.
Earlier this year, when an Islamophobic speaker was being featured in San Francisco we mobilized hundreds of protest letters to the event organizers. In conducting weekly outreaches, we empowered thousands of community members seeking information about civil rights and civic engagement. Our legal team works tirelessly to assist hundreds of people seeking civil rights and immigration support. Our Bystander Intervention and Microaggressions trainings continue to cultivate allies to protect the targets of hate.
Just last night, we celebrated the passage of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar’s legislation to create a special envoy to combat Islamophobia. This follows Muslim Day at the Capitol events focused on meeting with elected officials at the state and local levels to advocate for policies to protect our communities. Later this week, we will be hosting a free citizenship clinic to help even more people.
Our work to protect and empower the community frightens them and they think they can undermine it. They cannot. The CAIR network, our staff and board, and our work are strong and resilient. I have been so impressed with CAIR National, CAIR Columbus, and all of my colleagues and board members through this. Our hurt and shock have fueled stronger work and commitment to our efforts.
Knowing no one could harm you but for the will of Allah (swt) is one thing. Seeing in fact that powerful people and groups are trying and failing, deepens our faith.
We remain committed to our organization and community and know this is a sign we are in fact making a difference. We do our work authentically, effectively, and to the highest standards of excellence.
As always, we thank you for your support. We need your contributions more now than ever before as we take on larger hate groups, amplify our community’s perspectives, and work tirelessly to protect the most marginalized. We encourage you to redouble your support for our work to fight anti-Muslim bigotry across the United States.
Most importantly though, we ask for your prayers. Allah has and will continue to protect us, enable us to do this work, and strengthen us through these trials.
Jazaka’Allah khair for your contributions, trust, and duas.
Sincerely,
Zahra Billoo
CAIR-SFBA Executive Director