Why is Obama allowing foreign-designated terrorist groups to operate within the United States?

Two "moderate," mainstream Islamic groups in the United States feel as though they've been tarred and feathered with the same brush. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which describes itself as "America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization," and the Muslim American Society (MAS), which calls itself "a religious community service organization," have been lumped by the United Arab Emirates into a group shared by terrorist brigades as al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Both CAIR and MAS were among more than 80 groups whose designation was approved by the UAE cabinet and announced this past weekend.

Others listed included al-Qaeda and its various affiliates in Pakistan, Syria, Yemen and North Africa; the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS/ISIL); the Muslim Brotherhood and several of its U.K. - and Europe-based affiliates; and some Iranian-backed radical Shi'ite groups.

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Hamas, in spite of being the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, failed to make the list. Like most Arab states, the UAE is a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause. Also not listed was Iran's Shi'ite proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah.

The groups were designated under legislation promulgated this summer, which carries tough penalties for terrorist acts and support for terrorism.

"Whoever seeks or communicates with a foreign state, terrorist organization or with anyone who works for their interests, to commit any terrorist act, shall be punished with imprisonment for life while the death penalty will be imposed if the terrorist act has been carried out," it states.

CAIR says that they found the report "bizarre and shocking." "There is absolutely no factual basis for the inclusion CAIR and other American and European civil rights and advocacy groups on this list," it said in a statement. "Like the rest of the mainstream institutions representing the American Muslim community, CAIR's advocacy model is the antithesis of the narrative of violent extremists."

CAIR called on the UAE government to remove from the list itself, MAS, "and other civil society organizations that peacefully promote civil and democratic rights and that oppose terrorism whenever it occurs, wherever it occurs and whoever carries it out."

MAS officials it was "shocked" to learn about its designation, and are seeking U.S. government help "to address this issue."

"The Muslim American Society is a religious community service organization that serves people in the United States," it said. "We have no dealings with the United Arab Emirates, and hence are perplexed by this news."

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