Muslim groups, other leaders demand Abbott rescind CAIR’s ‘terrorist’ designation: ‘Defamatory’
A coalition of Muslim and interfaith leaders is calling on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to retract his recent proclamation that designates the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization.” This controversial designation, which Abbott also labeled as a “transnational criminal organization,” is significant not only for its implications on CAIR’s operations but also for the broader Muslim community in Texas and beyond. While Abbott’s declaration is a state-level action that lacks the legal authority of a federal Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation, it has sparked considerable backlash from civil rights advocates who argue that the governor’s proclamation is defamatory and poses a threat to the freedoms guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.
During a news conference held by various Muslim groups, leaders expressed their outrage over Abbott’s proclamation, emphasizing that it undermines CAIR’s longstanding efforts to advocate for civil rights and combat bigotry. Mustaffa Carroll, the executive director of CAIR Dallas Fort Worth, articulated the organization’s position, asserting that the governor’s actions represent an attempt to silence dissent against foreign policies, particularly those involving Israel and Palestine. CAIR has been vocal in condemning violence, including Hamas attacks, and has been an active participant in efforts to promote justice and equality. The lawsuit filed by CAIR against the state of Texas argues that the proclamation violates both First Amendment rights and due-process protections, claiming that the state has overstepped its jurisdiction by venturing into matters that are federally regulated.
The response to Abbott’s proclamation has been robust, with leaders from various faith communities, including Jewish advocates, standing in solidarity with CAIR. Deborah Armintor from Jewish Voice for Peace highlighted the importance of supporting CAIR’s lawsuit against what she termed a “false and unconstitutional proclamation.” State Representative Terry Meza also condemned the governor’s remarks, describing them as dangerous to the Muslim community. As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of Abbott’s declaration extend beyond CAIR, raising critical questions about the intersection of state power, civil liberties, and the treatment of minority communities in the United States. The outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain, but it underscores the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the protection of free speech in an increasingly polarized political landscape.
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.
