AUSTIN, TX – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a proclamation designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as “Foreign Terrorist Organizations” and “Transnational Criminal Organizations” under state law. The designation, announced in a Tuesday morning press release, is intended to allow for heightened enforcement actions by Texas authorities and prohibits the organizations and their affiliates from purchasing or acquiring land within the state.
Governor Abbott’s Rationale
In his statement, Governor Abbott asserted that the actions taken by both groups are “unacceptable” and are aimed at imposing Sharia law.
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Muslim Brotherhood: Abbott’s proclamation detailed the organization’s history, including a quote from its founder, Hassan al-Banna, who “professed that ‘Jihad is an obligation from Allah on every Muslim and cannot be ignored nor evaded’ and that Jihad means ‘the fighting of the unbelievers, and involves all possible efforts that are necessary to dismantle the power of the enemies of Islam.’”
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CAIR: The proclamation described CAIR as an “Islamist organization” that, according to the FBI, was founded as a “front group” for “Hamas and its support network” in the United States. CAIR is a Washington-based civil rights organization that provides legal services to Muslim Americans.
The Governor emphasized the core consequence of the designation, stating, “These radical extremists are not welcome in our state and are now prohibited from acquiring any real property interest in Texas.”
Legal Context and Response
The Governor’s proclamation marks a significant escalation in the state’s efforts to curb the groups’ operations, building on recently passed Texas legislation designed to strengthen tools against foreign terrorist organizations and ban certain property developments.
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Federal Authority: It is important to note that the power to officially designate a group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) at the federal level rests solely with the U.S. Secretary of State, following consultation with the Attorney General and Treasury Secretary. Neither the Muslim Brotherhood nor CAIR is currently listed as a federal FTO by the U.S. State Department.
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CAIR’s Rejection: CAIR has consistently rejected all accusations of terrorist ties. Following Abbott’s announcement, a CAIR spokesperson called the designation a “publicity stunt masquerading as a proclamation [that] has no basis in fact or law,” accusing Abbott of “advancing anti-Muslim bigotry” and stating the group is prepared to legally challenge the action.
Focus on Texas Property Development
The designation and land ban follow months of scrutiny by state officials into a planned Muslim community in North Texas, known formally as EPIC Ranches City (now The Meadow), near Dallas.
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State Investigation: The Texas Rangers launched an investigation into the development at Governor Abbott’s request, who alleged the planned community may present the threat of religious discrimination against non-Muslim minorities.
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Legislative Action: Abbott has also signed legislation targeting similar business structures and banning certain property developments from creating “exclusionary compounds,” specifically mentioning EPIC City during a bill signing.
The development and enforcement actions against CAIR are expected to face immediate legal challenges on potential constitutional grounds, including the First Amendment’s protection of free speech and religious practice, and the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.