A coalition of Muslim and interfaith leaders is urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to withdraw his recent proclamation labeling the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a “foreign terrorist organization.”
The groups are arguing that the state overstepped its authority and violated constitutional protections.
Abbott’s designation carries no federal weight.
Only the U.S. State Department can issue an official Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) label, meaning the governor’s proclamation does not trigger federal penalties or authorities.
The order also designated CAIR as a “transnational criminal organization,” a classification the governor issued under state law.
Leaders from multiple Muslim groups held a press conference Tuesday condemning the move and calling the designation defamatory and dangerous, according to Fox 4.
The Islamic organization has already filed a lawsuit challenging the proclamation, alleging it violates both the U.S. Constitution and Texas law.
CAIR argues the state cannot impose terrorism labels that fall under federal jurisdiction and that the governor’s order infringes on the organization’s First Amendment rights.
In a statement, Mustaffa Carroll, executive director of CAIR Dallas Fort Worth, said:
“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.”
Marium Uddin of the Muslim Legal Defense Fund also pushed back, saying:
“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.”
Jewish leaders joined the criticism as well.
Deborah Armintor of Jewish Voice for Peace said:
“We stand steadfast in solidarity with our comrades in CAIR and in unwavering support in their lawsuit against Abbott’s false and unconstitutional proclamation.”
State Rep. Terry Meza, a Democrat, warned that Abbott’s rhetoric carries consequences.
“The governor’s words are not just wrong, they’re dangerous,” she said.
“Making comments like this is dangerous to our Muslim community.”
The lawsuit remains underway, and courts have not yet ruled on whether Abbott’s proclamation is valid or exceeds state authority.
Under the order, CAIR is barred from buying land in Texas under a new statute aimed at restricting property purchases linked to “foreign adversaries.”
Abbott’s decree also extends the “terrorist” label to the Muslim Brotherhood.
However, the federal government has yet to classify either group as a terrorist organization.
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