Panel votes down 'smokescreen to target Muslims'

PIERRE - A South Dakota committee unanimously voted down a resolution that would have required government agencies to cut ties — if any exist — with the country's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy group.

The Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday night rejected Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, which would have called for state government and law enforcement officials to suspend and avoid communication with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Muslim South Dakotans, representatives from other faith groups and the head of the state's fraternal order of police said the resolution was discriminatory while its sponsor said it would help reduce the risk of terrorism.

Sen. Stace Nelson, R-Fulton, said he brought the resolution because he was worried about about CAIR's possible connection to terrorist groups and its role in helping refugees resettle in the United States.

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"This is about identifying potential terrorist threats not only to our country but to the state of South Dakota," Nelson said.

The organization does not have an office or a registered lobbyist in South Dakota.

In 2014, CAIR was among more than 80 groups designated as terrorist groups by the United Arab Emirates. CAIR called the move by UAE “bizarre” and unfounded, and the U.S. State Department has said it does not consider CAIR a terrorist organization.

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Opponents pointed out that the group doesn't have a presence in South Dakota and hasn't influenced refugee placement in the state. They also spoke to the deeper significance of the resolution for Muslim South Dakotans.

"I can find no other reason but to believe that this resolution is a smokescreen to target Muslims in South Dakota and our access to government and law enforcement agencies," said Taneeza Islam, an immigration attorney from Sioux Falls.

Islam said the legislation sent a powerful negative message to Muslim South Dakotans and seemed like an effort to allow for discrimination. She said the resolution's defeat was a win for South Dakota.

Migdad Mustafa, of Sioux Falls, said he was surprised that the Legislature would consider a resolution that could inspire fear among South Dakota Muslims and deter others who might want to come to the state.

"It doesn't just target us, it puts a bad dot on South Dakota that we don't need," he said. "That's not South Dakota."

Follow Dana Ferguson on Twitter @bydanaferguson, call (605) 370-2493 or email dferguson@argusleader.com

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