It's #HumanRightsDay2020 and I just finished up my remarks on the concerning influence of the Turkish government over American Muslim orgs/leaders/communities.

Here, I'll do a thread covering my remarks. https://twitter.com/silencedturkey/status/1337067536169504768

When Erdogan came onto the international scene as the PM of Turkey, he reached near mythological status in the global Muslim psyche as a strong Islamic leader that would restore the religion to Turkey, that stood firm against Israel, as a defender of the Ummah, as a "caliph"

The foundation of uncritical acceptance of Erdogan was set long ago among America Muslims, and Erdogan begun building his influence on that foundation in earnest in the past five, six years. My first awareness was in 2016 at the annual @ISNAHQ conference.

The Turkish Foreign Minister was given the main stage to address the tens of thousands of attendees, and thousands of books full of lush color photographs were distributed. The book handed out was about the failed 2016 coup,and propagated the narrative was Erdogan saved democracy

Not long after it became more commonplace to see Amer Muslim leaders publicly praise Erdogan. Like highly prominent cleric Suhaib Webb who said it was his honor to introduce Erdogan's daughter at a domestic conference, and thanked Erdogan for his concern for justice.

There was prominent American Muslim chaplain Tahera Ahmed, who made a nearly two hour video with a Turkish govt official, apparently during a sponsored tour there, in which she was pressed to praise the government and complied, calling Erdogan a lion of Islam.

Most concerning is the repeated public praise of Erdogan by Nihad Awad, the ED of @CAIRNational, an American Muslim civil rights organization of all things. The hypocrisy of heading a civil rights org while meeting with and supporting an authoritarian who has crushed civil rights

...cannot be overstated.
The Turkish govt has managed to influence the largest Amer Muslims orgs: ISNA, ICNA, MAS, CAIR, and USCMO. They groom these orgs and leaders and communities in different ways: sponsored tourist trips, paid internatl conferences, direct funding,

establishing religious institutions within communities. This influence has had an impact. Near utter silence by Amer Muslim leaders on the jailing of tens of thousands of Turkish citizens, journalists, etc and other civil/human rights violations.

The acceptance of blacklisting critics like @EnesKanter. Erdogan was able to pressure mosques and groups in America to cancel youth BASKETBALL CAMPS that Enes was organizing because he is a critic. The orgs sponsoring the camps gave in and canceled them.

The shocking statement issued by @USCMO earlier this year opposing the determination of the #ArmenianGenocide as an actual genocide. What place does an umbrella group of American orgs have in issuing such statement? That's the reach Erdogan has now, right here.

Most recently the Turkish govt tried to influence the American election by hobbling Emerge, which was working to mobilize the Amer Muslim vote, via a call for boycott against the org. Trump is good for Erdogan, and good for all authoritarians.

Erdogan overestimated the political power of American Muslims so it hasn't made a huge difference yet, but it doesn't mean it can't. Esp on issues like the extradition of Gulen, etc.

I am an equal opportunity opponent to ANY govt having influence over ANY domestic org

Not just Turkey. No govt should have influence over our domestic orgs, it leaves them vulnerable to guilt by association if the political winds shift. American Muslim orgs should never get foreign funding, it is shocking irresponsible and

a betrayal of the trust of the communities they are supposed to serve. My greatest concern is the integrity of the organization that are vital to Amer Muslim institutional life, and them becoming vehicles for foreign agendas.