(WASHINGTON D.C., 7/18/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the United States Department of State refutation of “transparent lies” by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following that nation’s detention of Asim Ghafoor, a Virginia civil rights attorney who represented murdered Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi.
American officials said on Monday said that they had not sought Ghafoor’s arrest, contradicting the UAE’s official explanation of his detention. CAIR did criticize a statement by those same officials that a “fair” trial was even possible in the UAE, which has a documented history of human rights abuses.
On Saturday, CAIR joined Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) in calling on the Biden administration to demand that the UAE immediately release Ghafoor.
DAWN said in a statement that Ghafoor was detained Thursday on “politically motivated” charges at Dubai airport while transiting to Istanbul to attend a family wedding. Ghafoor says that he has no previous knowledge of any legal action against him. The pro-democracy human rights organization noted: “UAE officials routinely use the country’s legal system to intimidate, persecute, and punish its critics.”
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Refuting the UAE’s transparent lies about Mr. Ghafoor’s unjust detention is important, but not enough. The Biden Administration must demand his immediate release. Asking for a monarchy that regularly imprisons political dissidents to grant Mr. Ghafoor a ‘fair’ hearing is ridiculous. Whether the target is Shireen Abu Akleh or Asim Ghafoor, President Biden must start forcefully standing up for American citizens targeted abroad by our nation’s so-called allies.”
He also called on members of Congress to demand Ghafoor’s release.
Awad noted that last month, CAIR joined Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) for the unveiling of a new street sign for “Jamal Khashoggi Way” outside of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, 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.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com