: Another Candidate Returns Contributions of Muslim Donors

With the media spotlight shining on him days before crucial elections, Representative James Moran (D-VA) returned contributions from three Muslim donors after an investigation review of their affiliated Muslim organizations raided by federal authorities in March. Although Moran has had a history of engagement with Arab and Muslim groups, the investigation review left him with too little wiggle room to maintain his stand. “I don’t want any contributors to my campaign …even inadvertently involved in terrorism,” Moran said after his decision. Earlier this year, Moran resisted pressure from Jewish groups concerned about donors’ connections with the “Wahabi-oriented” (and Republican-linked) Saar Foundation and Safa Trust, two groups implicated (but not charged) in the raids. “In our system of justice, you’re innocent until proven guilty — not the reverse,” Moran said at the time. Now, he says he still feels that way “strongly,” but the review “raised sufficient questions in my mind, that I would rather be safe than sorry.” Er… at least until after the election.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.