Fundraising Letter Sent From Controversial Muslim Group's Director to Muammar al-Qaddafi

The following is a letter from the director of theCouncil on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, to Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi dated September 23, 2009. The letter has added fuel to criticisms of the controversial group and what its critics say are some dubious fundraising tactics.

Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of God:

I am pleased to send to Your Excellency in my name most solemn assurances of thanks and appreciation for the efforts you exert in the service of Islam, Muslims and all mankind through your initiative to teach Islam, spread the culture of Islam, and solve disputes, for which you are known internationally.

Today we ask Your Excellency that you have precedence in supporting and backing the launch of the "Muslim Peace Foundation" which is concerned with the concept of dialog and coexistence based upon the principles of mutual understanding and respect among the followers of the divine [i.e. Abrahamic] religions. The "Muslim Peace Foundation" was registered in Washington, the Capital, as a non-profit organization.

I will supervise this promising foundation with the assistance of a group of experts and specialists, and with the support of a number of leaders of American society, who call for cooperation, coexistence and peace, in addition to an advisory council including personalities, among them prominent members of Congress, clerics and university professors.

We anticipate -- with the help of God -- through scientific and practical awareness programs that this effort will be the most widespread and largest of its kind in the West. We have also pointed out in the attached founders' message that the advisory bodies in the Foundation have estimated an annual operating budget of 15 million dollars with an immediate budget for founding and launch limited to 5 million dollars. To continue this Foundation in the long run we are also endeavoring to set up a Waqf which will support the budget of the Foundation for many years, We hope to be able to announce the launch of the "Muslim Peace Foundation" with an official

celebration at the start of the new year, in which will participate major personalities of the American and international public.

Your Excellency Brother Commander, may God grant you health and well being. We thank you very much for your generous support for this message. Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of God

Your Brother/ Nihad Awad