STATEMENT BY CLARION FUND REGARDING FEC COMPLAINT BY CAIR
September 24, 2008 -- The controversial group Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed a Federal Elections Commission complaint yesterday against Clarion Fund, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
CAIR alleges that the free distribution of 28 million DVDs of the documentary Obsession is designed to help John McCain win the presidential election. This is a false accusation designed to distract the public and media from the issues raised in the film about radical Islam.
"CAIR is attempting to stifle First Amendment freedom of speech," said Raphael Shore, Clarion's founder and director.
What is Clarion?
Clarion is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization created to educate the public about national security issues such as radical Islam. Its donors are Christians, Jews, and Muslims and include Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Clarion has made Obsession DVDs available to a national audience through newspaper insertions, national magazine insertions, and as an online download.
What is Obsession?
Obsession is a highly acclaimed documentary that has been vetted by major news organizations, leading think tanks, and the management of the 70 newspapers that agreed to include the DVD as a paid advertising insert. Obsession was released in 2006 and received positive media coverage, including a highly rated one-hour special that aired several times on Fox News Channel in November 2006.
The film does not mention any presidential candidate or political party. Clarion does not endorse any candidate for president nor is it acting at the behest of any political campaign. The Clarion website, www.radicalIslam.org, contains hyperlinks to the homeland security policy positions of both McCain and Obama, and endorses neither of them.
CAIR also has claimed that Obsession is intended to foster hatred of Muslims. However, a statement shown at the start of the film points out, "Most Muslims are peaceful and do not support terror. This is not a film about them." Despite being seen by millions, not one incident of hate has been attributed to the film. In fact, Muslims have praised the film.
What is CAIR?
CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in US v. Holy Land Foundation, a terrorism financing trial. A US Justice Department court filing states: "Moreover, from its founding by Muslim Brotherhood leaders, CAIR conspired with other affiliates of the Muslim Brotherhood to support terrorists." CAIR has a track record of using litigation and disinformation to intimidate critics of radical Islam.
"CAIR is attempting to distract the public and media from a serious debate about the nature and threat of radical Islam," said Shore.