(WASHINGTON, D.C, 10/6/21) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today renewed its call on Facebook to address the violent anti-Muslim hate speech on the platform after Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen cited internal documents referring to “fear-mongering content” promoted by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) linked pages.
The RSS is a paramilitary organization founded in 1925. The RSS has used violence on a number of occasions to promote its aims. According to the Bridge Initiative, “the RSS has been at the forefront of promoting Hindu-nationalism in India, with the Sangh accused of inciting violence against India’s Dalit-Bahujan community, including hate crimes against Muslims, lynchings of Dalits, and pogroms against religious minorities.”
In a statement, CAIR National Research and Advocacy Coordinator Huzaifa Shahbaz said:
“Despite knowing about the widespread proliferation of violent anti-Muslim content on its platform for years, Facebook has failed to curtail it, contributing to dangerous manifestations of Islamophobia in the United States and elsewhere. Facebook has an obligation to prevent its platform from being used to create lethal threats against religious communities, including Muslims.”
Internal records revealed hateful content targeting Muslims in India. Haugen stated, “There were a number of dehumanising posts comparing Muslims to ‘pigs’ and ‘dogs’ and misinformation claiming the Quran calls for men to rape their female family members,” quoting a company document.
SEE: Facebook Aware of Anti-Muslim Content in India, But Took Little Action, Alleges Whistleblower
SEE: FACTSHEET: RASHTRIYA SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH (RSS)
https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-rashtriya-swayamsevak-sangh-rss/
In 2019, an investigation by the Southern Poverty Law Center into the closed Facebook group called Back Woods Survivalist Squad shows that the group has been using Facebook to coordinate surveillance on mosques around the country. The investigation discovered photos inside and outside at least 10 mosques across the country, including in the Southeast, northern Great Plains and the northern Rocky Mountains. Hatewatch performed an online search and found many of the photos were unique to the group, and the search did not find the images elsewhere on the internet.
SEE: Stalking Mosques and Trading Information, Back Woods Survivalist Squad Merges Anti-Islam Fever With Militia Tactics
In October 2017, CAIR sent a letter to U.S. House and Senate committee leaders investigating the Russian government’s interference in the 2016 election, requesting the committees consider reports that Russian operatives carried out online attacks over Russian controlled Facebook accounts, and other social media platforms, by impersonating Muslim groups and fomenting animosity against the American Muslim community.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Congress to Probe Reports of Russian Attacks Against U.S. Muslims in 2016 Election
In December 2020, CAIR thanked Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) – and the 29 congressional colleagues that joined her – in urging Facebook to take immediate action to eliminate anti-Muslim bigotry from that social media platform. CAIR was one of several organizations named by Rep. Dingell in her press release announcing the letter.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Congressional Letter to Facebook Urging Eradication of Anti-Muslim Content on Social Media Platform
In February 2021, CAIR joined 40+ groups urging Facebook to protect the right to hold Israel responsible for human rights abuses. The event included a virtual delivery of a petition — signed by almost 50,000 people concerned about free speech — to hold Israel responsible for its human rights abuses and segregationist policies.
SEE: CAIR COMMUNITY ADVISORY: CAIR to Join 40+ Groups Urging Facebook to Protect Right to Hold Israel Responsible for Human Rights Abuses
In August 2021, CAIR condemned an Islamophobic, dishonest and dangerous ad campaign launched by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar.
SEE: CAIR Condemns ‘Dishonest and Dangerous’ AIPAC Ads Smearing Rep. Ilhan Omar, Calls on Facebook to Remove Islamophobic Posts
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s Email List
https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
Follow CAIR on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cair_national/
Donate to CAIR
https://action.cair.com/a/donate
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
If you would like join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com