I can't help myself. After Naveed Afzal Haq shot six people in a Jewish Federation office, killing one and wounding five, I immediately thought about CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, would have to say about it.

My first guess would be nothing.

But this was too big a story for them to sweep under the rug. They couldn't just ignore it, they'd need to say SOMETHING.

So I went back to their standard playbook. First, they'd denounce the incident. Then they'd tie it into blaming Israel for "aggression" and provoking such incidents. Then they'd say that you can't blame all Muslims for the actions of one deranged individuals. Finally, they'd try to claim a share of the victimhood, demanding extra protection for Muslims from hypothetical "hate crimes."

As I started writing this piece, I went over to CAIR's site to get the link above, and lo and behold they did have a statement. I didn't read it before I wrote the above prediction.

How did I do? Well, I'll reprint it here in its entirety, and highlight each of the points I got right.

News Releases Saturday, July 29, 2006

CAIR Condemns Attack On Seattle Jewish Center

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR CONDEMNS ATTACK ON SEATTLE JEWISH CENTER
Group says Mideast conflict must not be 'transplanted' to America

(WASHINGTON, DC, 7/28/06) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today condemned an attack on a Jewish community center in Seattle, Wash., that left one person dead and several more injured. (A statement signed by representatives of the Seattle Muslim community, including CAIR-Seattle, is attached below.)

A lone gunman who reportedly said, "I'm a Muslim American; I'm angry at Israel," entered the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and began shooting. The alleged gunman was later arrested.

In a statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group said:

"We condemn this senseless attack on a religious institution and offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured. The American Muslim and Jewish communities must do whatever is within their power to prevent the current conflict in the Middle East from being transplanted to this country. We also urge local, state and national law enforcement authorities to step up security measures at synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions of both faiths."

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 32 offices, chapters and affiliates nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR-Seattle President Arsalan Bukhari, 206-384-1565; Rami Al-Kabra, 206-349-5995; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]

-----

STATEMENT BY SEATTLE MUSLIM COMMUNITY

The Muslim community of Greater Seattle area watched in horror as news broke of a shooting at the Jewish Federation building. While many of the details of this shooting remain to be determined, what is clear is that a senseless and ruthless act of violence has taken place and resulted in the loss of at least one life.

We categorically condemn this and any similar acts of violence. We pray for the safety and health of those injured and offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of the victims of this attack. We also hope that the perpetrator of this crime is brought to justice.

There is no room for such acts of violence in our city and community. When one of us is attacked, none of us are safe. We refuse to see the violence in the Middle East spill over to our cities and neighborhoods.

We reject and categorically condemn any attacks against the Jewish community and stand in solidarity with the Jewish Federation in this tragedy.

Statement issued by:

Council on American-Islamic Relations, Seattle
Contact: Rami Al Kabra, 206-349-5995, [email protected]

Ithna-Ashari Muslim Association of the Northwest
Contact: Jawad Khaki, [email protected]

Muslim Association of Puget Sound
Contact: Mahmood Khadeer, [email protected]

Islamic Educational Center of Seattle
Contact: Hamid Afsari, [email protected]

American Muslims of Puget Sound
Contact: Jeff Siddiqui, [email protected]

Arab American Community Coalition
Contact: Ibrahim Al-Husseini, [email protected]

Islamic Center of Tri-Cities
Contact: Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hawamdeh, [email protected]

-----

CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.cair-net.org

Well, I got two and a half for four. I'd claim a full point for the "blame Israel," but that one you gotta read between the lines. They're blaming the "violence in the Middle East," but it's pretty much understood that that violence is Israel's fault. They've apparently learned to skip the "don't blame all Muslims" step, as it has pretty much gone past its shelf life.

The real test will be to see CAIR's next summary of hate crimes involving Muslims. Somehow, I think this won't make the list.