A storm of protest is brewing in Texas, ignited by Governor Greg Abbott’s controversial designation of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization.” The proclamation has sent shockwaves through Muslim communities and drawn condemnation from interfaith leaders across the state, who see it as a dangerous and unfounded attack on civil rights.
While the governor’s declaration carries no federal legal weight – only the U.S. State Department can officially designate a Foreign Terrorist Organization – its impact is far-reaching. The order effectively bars CAIR from purchasing land in Texas, leveraging a new law targeting transactions linked to perceived “foreign adversaries.”
Leaders from numerous Muslim organizations swiftly denounced the move, holding a press conference to label it defamatory, destructive, and deeply dangerous. They argue the governor’s actions are a blatant attempt to silence criticism and instill fear within the Muslim community.
CAIR has already launched a legal challenge, asserting the proclamation violates both the U.S. Constitution and Texas state law. The lawsuit centers on the infringement of First Amendment rights and due process, arguing that terrorism designations are exclusively a federal jurisdiction.
“The governor is attempting to punish the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization simply because he disagrees with its protected First Amendment rights,” stated Mustaffa Carroll, Executive Director of CAIR Dallas Fort Worth, during the press conference. “This is not only unconstitutional, but unsupported by any Texas law.”
The accusations leveled against CAIR are particularly stinging to those familiar with the organization’s decades-long work. Marium Uddin of the Muslim Legal Defense Fund passionately defended CAIR’s record, reminding audiences of its consistent condemnation of Hamas attacks and its 31 years dedicated to combating terrorism and bigotry.
The outcry isn’t limited to Muslim voices. Leaders from other faiths, including Jewish communities, have rallied in solidarity with CAIR. Deborah Armintor of Jewish Voice for Peace affirmed unwavering support for CAIR’s lawsuit, calling the governor’s proclamation “false and unconstitutional.”
State Representative Terry Meza, a Democrat, echoed these concerns, warning that the governor’s rhetoric is not merely inaccurate, but actively dangerous, potentially inciting harm against the Muslim population. The implications of such language are deeply unsettling for many Texans.
Adding to the complexity, the governor’s decree also extends the “terrorist” label to the Muslim Brotherhood, a group that has never been designated as such by the federal government. This expansion of the definition raises further questions about the basis for Abbott’s actions.
As the lawsuit progresses, the fate of the governor’s order hangs in the balance. The outcome will not only determine CAIR’s ability to operate in Texas, but also set a precedent for the limits of state authority in matters of national security and civil liberties.
