Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, formally designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations, a move that immediately drew strong pushback from Muslim civil rights groups and raised questions about enforcement authority.
Under the declaration, the two groups are prohibited from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas, and state agencies have been instructed to apply “increased enforcement” measures against them. The governor described the action as a response to what he called threats to public safety and national security.
“The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam’s ‘mastership of the world’,” Abbott said in the proclamation letter. He accused the Muslim Brotherhood of supporting terrorism globally and alleged that CAIR has worked to “subvert our laws through violence, intimidation, and harassment.”
Today, I designated the Muslim Brotherhood and Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations.
This bans them from buying or acquiring land in Texas and authorizes the Attorney General to sue to shut them down. pic.twitter.com/lSYvpkTmh3
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 18, 2025
Abbott Cites Claims Linking CAIR to Hamas
In the declaration, Abbott referred to longstanding allegations that CAIR was founded as a “front group” for Hamas, along with claims that the organization had “employed, affiliated with, and supported individuals promoting terrorism-related activities.”
CAIR, founded in 1994, maintains that its mission is to defend civil rights and combat anti-Muslim discrimination. The organization has consistently denied any connection to Hamas.
Responding to Abbott’s announcement, CAIR dismissed the proclamation as politically motivated.
“Although we are flattered by Greg Abbott’s obsession with our civil rights organization, his publicity stunt masquerading as a proclamation has no basis in fact or law,” a CAIR spokesperson said, adding that the governor was promoting “debunked conspiracy theories and made-up quotes.”
CAIR also said it was prepared to file a legal challenge. “We have successfully sued Greg Abbott three different times for shredding the First Amendment for the benefit of the Israeli government, and we are ready to do so again if he attempts to turn this publicity stunt into actual policy.”
Questions Over Legal Authority
Designating a foreign terrorist organization is a power held exclusively by the U.S. Secretary of State, raising questions about how Abbott’s proclamation could be implemented. The governor did not specify how Texas would enforce the designations or what penalties might apply.
The announcement comes months after U.S. Senator Ted Cruz introduced the “Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025,” the latest in a series of attempts since 2015 to formally label the organization as a terrorist group at the federal level.
Context of Rising Tensions in Texas
CAIR-Texas chapters have been actively involved in reporting suspected anti-Muslim hate incidents in recent months. The group recently urged investigations into the alleged assault of Muslim teenagers and an incident at the University of Houston in which a man reportedly shouted anti-Muslim slogans and burned a Quran.
“Mr. Abbott is defaming us and other American Muslims because we are effective advocates for justice here and abroad,” CAIR-Texas said, adding that it would continue advocating on issues of civil rights, free speech, and religious freedom.
EPIC City Dispute and Religious Discrimination Claims
Abbott’s declaration also referenced House Bill 4211, passed earlier this year to restrict certain property developments by religious organizations. During its signing, the governor specifically mentioned “EPIC City” (now renamed The Meadow), a 402-acre residential and institutional project planned by the East Plano Islamic Center.
The governor has accused the developers of attempting to impose Sharia law through the project. He has also initiated four state investigations, alleging discrimination against non-Muslims, potential financial harm to investors, violations of consumer protection laws, and illegal funeral services.
Federal authorities previously opened a criminal investigation into the project over alleged religious discrimination but closed the case in June. The Texas Workforce Commission also dismissed all fair housing allegations in September.
Multiple religious groups including CAIR-DFW have criticized the investigations as politically motivated and an abuse of power.
EPIC later filed a lawsuit of its own after the Texas Funeral Service Commission ordered the mosque to stop performing burial rites, arguing the directive violated religious freedom.
(Source: KERA News)
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.