Council On American Islamic Relations, California

OUR MISSION: To enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

OUR VISION: To be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding.

CAIR was founded in 1994 in response to growing anti-Muslim discrimination and Islamophobia across the nation. At that time, American Muslims increasingly found themselves the innocent targets of prejudice and hate, and the need for an organization that could speak to the unique position of Muslims in America became apparent. Leadership from local Muslim communities, with support from other minority and civil rights groups, helped launch an organization founded on Islamic and American principles that demonstrate their mutually reinforcing values.

While CAIR is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with headquarters in Washington, DC, over 30 local chapters enable the organization to remain rooted in the community and aware of the civil rights issues affecting the day-to-day lives of American Muslims across the country. Sharing the same values, mission, and vision, each chapter has a Board and is locally funded. CAIR is recognized as both a national and local leader and champion of civil rights for all Americans, with a particular focus on discrimination and challenges faced by American Muslims.