Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially declared the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.” This declaration, made on Tuesday, prohibits these groups from acquiring any property within the state and empowers the state attorney general to initiate legal actions against entities affiliated with them.
This action represents a significant escalation in Abbott’s ongoing confrontation with Muslim organizations and communities in Texas. It is noteworthy that states do not possess the authority to designate foreign terrorist organizations for the United States; such designations fall solely under the purview of the U.S. Secretary of State, in consultation with the attorney general and treasury secretary, involving a formal process requiring congressional notification and publication in the Federal Register.
In a statement, Abbott asserted, “The actions taken by the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR to support terrorism across the globe and subvert our laws through violence, intimidation, and harassment are unacceptable. These radical extremists are not welcome in our state.” Despite the boldness of Abbott’s claims, the implications of this designation are primarily limited to Texas state law enforcement. Moreover, Abbott’s office has not clarified how it will determine affiliations with the designated groups or what specific enforcement actions may follow.
CAIR, a well-known civil rights organization that has served Muslim Americans in the U.S. for several decades, has consistently denied any terrorist ties, positioning itself as a defender against discrimination. In response to Abbott’s declaration, CAIR expressed concern over what they perceive as an attempt to stoke anti-Muslim sentiment and cited Abbott’s history of actions against peaceful protests and civil rights. In their statement, CAIR emphasized their role in advocating for justice and against acts of violence.
The designation has emerged amidst a broader context of scrutiny faced by Texas’s Muslim community, particularly regarding the controversial Epic City project – a proposed 400-acre Muslim community development north-east of Dallas. Abbott has referred to this project as a “sharia compound,” prompting multiple investigations into alleged regulations violations involving the project. Earlier this year, the Texas Workforce Commission addressed fair housing allegations against Epic City through a resolution requiring training on non-discriminatory practices, while the U.S. Department of Justice closed its own inquiry into the matter.
Abbott’s administration has taken a strong stance against what they characterize as an imposition of sharia law, outlining the alleged goals of the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR in his announcement. This development signifies a noteworthy chapter in the evolving discussions around religious freedom, civil rights, and state governance in Texas.