Boxer's office had given the certificate to 27-year-old Elkarra for his dedication to building bridges and enhancing relations among Muslims and non-Muslims.
In a curious twist of events, Boxer then rescinded the award because she was concerned about past alleged statements and actions by CAIR that she saw on right-wing websites.
Officials from CAIR, the largest Muslim civil liberties group in the U.S., expressed surprise and concern at Boxer’s hasty move and her failure to consult CAIR about the charges which they say are baseless.
"These allegations are smears and an attempt to marginalize the American Muslim community," said Elkarra.
For more than two weeks now, Boxers’s office has refused to speak with Southern California InFocus, the largest American-Muslim newspaper in California.
In an email sent to the Muslim newspaper, Natalie Ravitz, the senator’s communications director, said that the issue was an "old wound" and does not need to be re-opened.
"[Senator Boxer] did hours of interviews on the subject weeks ago and then made the decision not to do any further interviews on the matter. We have moved on…We simply are not going to open up an old wound by continuing to answer questions about a matter that took place weeks ago," the email read.
At the same time, however, Boxer and her office have granted interviews to other media outlets.
Elkarra added that he found it disquieting that Boxer refused to be interviewed by an American Muslim newspaper, while at the same time granting interviews to other media outlets.
For CAIR officials, the issue is bigger than the award itself.
"It is astonishing that a U.S. Senator who supposedly is a champion of civil rights and equality will take such action," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR Southern California chapter. "By taking the award back, she has turned her back on the American Muslim community. Senator Boxer’s actions throughout this troubling incident call into question both her commitment to civil rights and her stated desire to work with the American Muslim community."
He added that the senator’s actions only highlight her acceptance of right-wing extremists and those with a long history of anti-Muslim hatred.
CAIR is a civil rights organization with a "mission to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding."
For 13 years, the organization has been working in its communities bringing people together and building bridges. Throughout the years, CAIR has earned a reputation and has become a respected organization among its peers and even among many government and law enforcement organizations.
"CAIR banquets are usually attended by various members of congress, mayors, state officials and FBI officials," said Ayloush, who added that CAIR has become the largest grassroots Muslim advocacy group with more than 30 offices across the nation.
In fact, Ayloush pointed out that recently in November, Boxer herself had sent a commendation and one of her representatives to CAIR Southern California’s 10th annual banquet dinner, praising the group for its efforts to promote civil liberties and advocate for justice and understanding.
With CAIR’s successes come its critics and those who wish to hurt the civil rights organization’s image. Among them is Joe Kaufman, who is famous for his anti-Muslim comments and his promotion of a book defaming Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. He was quoted in a January 6 Los Angeles Times article as saying, none of the major American Muslim organizations qualify as moderates. Kaufman created a hate website that criticizes Muslims and CAIR. He was also among those who demanded that the senator rescind the award.
"This individual has in the past also promoted the terrorist organizations Kach and Kahane Chai and praised the Kahane movement and its founder Meir Kahane on a forum of the radical Jewish Defense League," said Ayloush. The Jewish Defense League was convicted of plotting to bomb the King Fahd mosque and the office of Arab American Congressman Darrell Issa.
But Ayloush said that there has been a positive outcome out of the Boxer fiasco."CAIR and the Muslim community have received tremendous support from civic and interfaith communities," said Ayloush. Boxer received many e-mails, letters and phone calls questioning her decision. The response was overwhelming as many civil rights leaders, rabbis, ministers and pastors showed disappointment with the senator’s decision.
"I don’t understand and I can just say I’m absolutely shocked and saddened by Senator Boxer’s reaction – I don’t know why she did this," said Jerry Chong, chief of legal counsel for the Council of Asian Pacific Islanders Together for Advocacy and Leadership (CAPITAL).
Rev. Jerry Stinson, Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church of Long Beach, sent a strong letter of support for CAIR to Boxer’s office.
"I am a strong supporter of CAIR! I regularly participate in CAIR events and I make donations to support this organization which builds bridges between Muslims, Jews and Christians… Senator Boxer should have consulted the FBI about her fears of terrorism rather than right-wing anti-Muslim sources. For me the greatest irony is that the first letter printed in the program book for CAIR’s anniversary celebration was from Senator Boxer herself who wrote, "I applaud CAIR’s dedication to fostering community and understanding between people of all faiths in the U.S."
Additionally, Progressive Christians Uniting submitted an open letter to Boxer’s office demanding she give the award back to Elkarra. The letter was signed by hundreds of Christian, Jewish and other leaders.
After the overwhelming reaction of many, Boxer agreed to meet with officials from CAIR to move forward and continue good relations with the civil rights group. CAIR officials presented the senator with their response to her concerns via e-mail before they met on Tuesday, Jan. 23 in Washington D.C. However, at the meeting, Boxer did not discuss the allegations but instead, was adamant on focusing on the future and working with CAIR.
"Unfortunately, it became apparent at our meeting that neither Senator Boxer nor most of her senior staff reviewed CAIR’s response and that there was no intent to give us the courtesy of a fair hearing," said Ayloush. "It is quite evident now that she never intended to really hear the facts. The truth is, the senator’s mind was made up well before we even arrived in Washington for our meeting."
CAIR officials were equally disappointed, Ayloush said, to learn that after the meeting, the senator interviewed with the Associated Press and added that she still has concerns regarding CAIR’s activities.
"What is disturbing now is that she says she still has concerns about CAIR," said Ayloush. "In all honesty, it is the American Muslim community that now has concerns about whether Senator Boxer believes American Muslims deserve to be treated with respect."
CAIR officials further say they’ve worked in good faith to give Boxer a chance to fairly address the award controversy, and believe it is up to her to do the right thing.
Aisha Aziz contributed to this story.
