Muslim groups, other leaders demand Abbott rescind CAIR’s ‘terrorist’ designation: ‘Defamatory’
A coalition of Muslim and interfaith leaders in Texas is calling on Governor Greg Abbott to rescind his recent proclamation that designates the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization” and a “transnational criminal organization.” This state-level designation, while lacking the legal weight of a federal Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) listing, has sparked significant backlash, as it does not trigger federal penalties but nonetheless carries serious implications for CAIR’s operations within Texas. During a news conference, leaders from various Muslim groups condemned the proclamation as defamatory and harmful, urging Abbott to retract it. They argue that the governor’s actions violate both the U.S. Constitution and state laws, particularly the First Amendment rights of CAIR, which has been a prominent advocate for civil rights and has condemned violence, including attacks by Hamas.
In response to Abbott’s proclamation, CAIR has filed a lawsuit asserting that the governor’s actions overstep state authority and are politically motivated. Mustaffa Carroll, the executive director of CAIR’s Dallas Fort Worth chapter, emphasized that the governor’s attempt to punish a civil rights organization for exercising its constitutional rights is both unconstitutional and without legal precedent in Texas law. Other leaders, including representatives from the Jewish community, have voiced their support for CAIR, highlighting the dangers of such rhetoric in fostering discrimination and fear against Muslim communities. State Rep. Terry Meza also criticized Abbott’s remarks, stating they pose a risk to public safety and community harmony. As the lawsuit progresses, the future of Abbott’s designation remains uncertain, with implications for both CAIR and the broader discourse surrounding civil rights and religious freedom in Texas.
A group of Muslim and interfaith leaders are urging Texas Gov.
Greg Abbott
, a Republican, to reverse his proclamation designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Texas’ designation is state-level only. It does not carry the legal force of a federal Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) listing, which only the U.S. State Department can issue. Abbott’s proclamation, therefore, does not trigger federal terrorism penalties or authorities.
The leaders of several Muslim groups held a news conference on Tuesday to denounce the governor’s proclamation, which also labeled CAIR as a “a transnational criminal organization.”
The groups called on the governor to retract his labeling of the civil rights group, calling it defamatory, destructive and dangerous, according to Fox 4.
MUSLIM CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP CAIR SUES TEXAS OVER ABBOTT’S ‘TERRORIST’ DESIGNATION
This comes after CAIR filed a lawsuit against Texas over the governor’s declaration, arguing that it violates both the U.S. Constitution and state law.
CAIR argues the order violates its First Amendment rights and due-process protections, and that Texas overstepped its authority because terrorism designations fall under federal, not state, 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 to criticize a foreign state that is conducting genocide. This is not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law,” Mustaffa Carroll, the executive director for CAIR Dallas Fort Worth, said at the news conference on Tuesday.
“You know that CAIR has condemned Hamas attacks. You know that CAIR has spent 31 years fighting terrorism and bigotry. You know that the terrorism boogeyman you invoke is nothing more than a tired, formulated playbook to stoke fear of Muslims,” Marium Uddin of the Muslim Legal Defense Fund said on Tuesday.
Leaders from
other faiths
, including Jewish voices, also spoke out against Abbott’s label.
“We stand steadfast in solidarity with our comrades in CAIR and in unwavering support in their lawsuit against Abbott’s false and unconstitutional proclamation,” Jewish Voice for Peace’s Deborah Armintor said.
State Rep. Terry Meza, a Democrat, added that the governor’s words “are not just wrong, they’re dangerous. Making comments like this is dangerous to our Muslim community.”
TEXAS GOV ABBOTT DECLARES CAIR, MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AS TERRORIST GROUPS, PREVENTING LAND PURCHASES
The lawsuit is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether a court will uphold Abbott’s order or strike it down as exceeding state authority.
The governor’s decree bars CAIR from
buying land
in the Lone Star State under a new statute aimed at curbing purchases tied to “foreign adversaries.”
Abbott’s order also extended the “terrorist” label to the Muslim Brotherhood, despite the federal government never classifying either group that way.
