A congressional candidate has refused a campaign donation from the executive director of an Islamic-American association, saying the group has ties to terrorist groups.
Kevin Calvey, a candidate for the 5th Congressional District seat, said Wednesday he refused a $25 online donation from Razi Hashim, the executive director of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR.
Hashim said his donation was a personal contribution and not meant to be affiliated with the nonprofit group that employs him.
“I thought on a personal level, we could talk as two men, as people of God,” Hashim said. “Jesus said to love your neighbor; we have similar teachings in Islam as well.”
Calvey has been vocal in his opposition of the council nationally, pointing to the 2007 case against the Holy Land Foundation in which 307 people and the council were listed as “unindicted co-conspirators.”
In 2008, a jury found members of the foundation guilty of funneling money to the militant group Hamas. One of the men found guilty was a member of the Texas branch of the council.
“That’s not my opinion, that is a fact,” said Calvey, an attorney who was deployed to Iraq as a member of the National Guard. “That’s what our own government says about CAIR.”
Hashim said Calvey has a history of bashing Muslims.
Prosecutor in Iraq
Calvey, an attorney who helped prosecute terrorism suspects in the Iraqi court system, said he had no problem with the Muslim faith, but he could not support the council.
“I worked alongside Muslims every day who were fighting against terrorism,” Calvey said.
Calvey said he would have no problem meeting with members of the council, if they left the organization.
“I haven’t met with them, nor will I,” Calvey said. “CAIR is the moral equivalent of the Ku Klux Klan. I wouldn’t meet with them either.”
Calvey said Hashim’s donation was the first campaign donation he’s refused to accept as he campaigns to fill the congressional seat being vacated by Republican Rep. Mary Fallin. Fallin is running for governor of Oklahoma.
Hashim said Calvey’s is the only campaign he’s given to so far. He said he was disappointed in Calvey’s comments, but not surprised. Hashim said the council has met with candidates for many races and current elected leaders, including Fallin.
“People have seemed to be open to discussion,” Hashim said. “He’s the only one. He doesn’t look at Muslims as people. He touts this as a crusade against CAIR, but everybody knows it’s anti-Muslim. It’s not becoming of anyone seeking a higher office from Oklahoma. You have to represent people of all faiths and backgrounds within the district.”
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