by Javier Manjarres

The Center for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) recently granted me an interview with Nezar Hamze, the South Florida Chapter’s Executive Director for the purpose of addressing misconceptions and dispelling all of the accusations that have been leveled against the organization. Hamze explained that CAIR has many independently run chapters across the country with its headquarters located in Washington D.C.  Hamze also states that CAIR was established to protect the civil rights of Muslims and educate people about Islam.

Mr. Hamze says that both he and his organization repudiates any violence by terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah:.

Any organization, any person who take it upon themselves to take an innocent life, and an innocent life meaning someone standing on the side of the street, not doing anything and they get  killed-that person has lost their path, that person has lost the straight way, and it is against Islam to take an innocent life… anybody that takes an innocent life, any organization, any government has lost their path, and we cannot be with them,we are not with them, as far as Islamically standing, we are not with them.”

Hamze insists that CAIR is not tied to the Muslim Brotherhood or any other Terrorist organization like Hamas, and he repudiates Hamas and its terrorist activities.

Hamas has made the decision, now, Hamas has been attacked, obviously, but Hamas has made the decision to take innocent lives and we cannot stand with them.  Period, it’s very clear.

Mr. Hamze goes on to state that he supports the Palestinian people, and that Palestine also needs assistance and should become a state just as Israel is. Hamze supports Israel as a state, but believes that Palestine should be afforded the same opportunity for statehood that Israel has enjoyed.  Hamze then explains some of the tenants of sharia, and he offered his insight into sharia in an effort to dispel the the growing criticism against sharia that is facing throughout the world.