BREAKING: Texas has officially become the first state to designate the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations. This landmark proclamation was issued by Governor Greg Abbott on October 31, 2023, marking a significant escalation in the state’s approach to groups perceived as extremist.
The measure, announced in a press release just hours ago, empowers Texas authorities to prohibit both organizations from acquiring real estate within the state and authorizes “heightened enforcement” against them. Abbott emphasized the necessity of this action, stating, “The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam’s ‘mastership of the world.’ These radical extremists are not welcome in our state.”
CAIR, founded in 1994, describes itself as a “nonprofit, grassroots civil rights and advocacy organization” for Muslims. However, it has faced serious allegations regarding its connections to terrorism. Abbott’s proclamation cites evidence of CAIR members’ affiliations with “terrorism-related activities” and references the Federal Bureau of Investigation labeling CAIR as a “front group” for Hamas.
In response, CAIR has condemned the governor’s decision, threatening legal action and labeling it a “publicity stunt.” They stated, “Although we are flattered by Greg Abbott’s obsession with our civil rights organization, his proclamation has no basis in fact or law.”
The Muslim Brotherhood, established in 1928 in Egypt, has been accused of supporting extremist organizations, including Hamas. Several nations, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have already designated it as a terrorist organization. While neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is listed as terrorist entities in the U.S., there have been efforts from some lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, to change this status. Cruz recently reintroduced legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group after an incident involving an Egyptian national, Mohamed Soliman, who attacked pro-Israeli protesters in June 2023.
The implications of Abbott’s proclamation are profound, as the Middle East Forum, a think tank focused on foreign policy, has praised the move. Director Gregg Roman stated, “This is vindication,” citing CAIR’s alleged connections to terrorism and underscoring the urgency of Abbott’s action. He urged other states to follow Texas’s lead, asserting, “Texas just proved that states don’t need Washington’s permission to protect their citizens from terror-linked organizations.”
As this story develops, all eyes will be on Texas to see how this unprecedented designation affects the operations of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, and whether other states will join Texas in similar actions. The ripple effects of this decision could shape the landscape of civil rights and counter-terrorism policies across the nation.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent and evolving situation.
