CAIR Attorney Argues Historic Watchlist Case Before Supreme Court

Al Enteshar Newspaper

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) attorney Gadeir Abbas today presented oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court in Fikre v. FBI, a case arising out of Yonas Fikre’s unlawful placement on the FBI’s secret No Fly List.    

WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE FOLLOWING ORAL ARGUMENTS

Fikre is a Muslim who the FBI attempted to pressure into becoming an informant, tortured and imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates at the behest of American officials and then stranded in Sweden because of his status on the No Fly List.    

CAIR and co-counsel Brandon Mayfield sued in 2012, and after four years of litigation, the FBI removed Fikre from the No Fly List without explanation. The FBI now seeks a decision from the Supreme Court that would, in effect, permanently insulate the FBI’s secret list from judicial scrutiny.   

In a statement, CAIR Attorney Gadeir Abbas said:

“Our client, like countless other innocent Muslims, has had a target painted on his back by the federal government with no due process. The watchlist is a violation of our constitution and of justice itself, and we will continue the fight until this discriminatory program is ended, God willing.”

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

“This is a historic day for the American Muslim community and the fight for justice for all in our nation. The watchlist and no fly list have ruined the lives of countless innocent people, and it is time for the federal government to suspend this unconstitutional, un-American program. We are hopeful that our case will be instrumental in ending the watchlist and getting justice for those it has victimized. American Muslims refuse to be treated as second-class citizens.”

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.             

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