CAIR Washington is the Washington State chapter* of the Council on American-Islamic Relations - the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group. Established in 2002 by Seattle-area activists, the 501(c)(3) has been at the forefront of fighting Islamophobia and racism and advancing civil rights in Washington. Our work at CAIR-Washington spans four different areas. Firstly, we deal with civil rights issues, taking up complaints ranging from bigoted gestures to official discrimination against Muslims. Secondly, we are involved in political empowerment helping community members understand and utilize the political system to work for them. Thirdly, we are involved in media monitoring. We monitor the local media closely and flag bias against Muslims. Lastly, we are involved in community outreach. We work to empower the Muslim community and to foster an understanding between Washington’s Muslim and non-Muslim communities via public education, and to serve the needs of the greater Seattle community via public service. *Though it leverages the resources, expertise, and knowledgebase of CAIR National (based in Washington D.C.), it functions as an independent organization that sets its own strategy and goals.