Gov. Abbott declares CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood terrorist groups

In Austin on Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott formally issued a sweeping proclamation designating both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Transnational Criminal Organizations under state law. The order, which was filed with the Secretary of State on November 18, 2025, imposes significant restrictions on the two groups, as well as anyone affiliated with or supporting them. Among the most consequential effects of the designation is a ban on purchasing or holding land anywhere in Texas, a penalty tied to the state’s property laws governing transnational criminal entities.

According to the proclamation, Texas is invoking multiple statutes — including provisions of the Texas Penal Code, the Property Code, and the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code — to justify treating the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations. The decision means that any individual or organization connected to them or found to be aiding their activities could face enhanced civil penalties. Because the groups are now labeled as transnational criminal organizations under Chapter 5 of the Property Code, any attempt by them or by associated parties to acquire real estate in the state would be unlawful and could trigger divestment orders, civil consequences, or even criminal charges.

Governor Abbott said the state acted because he believes both organizations pose a threat to Texas residents and to the rule of law. In remarks accompanying the proclamation, Abbott argued that leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood have openly discussed goals of forcing the spread of Sharia law and asserting what they describe as Islam’s global supremacy. He accused both the Brotherhood and CAIR of supporting or enabling terrorism internationally and attempting to undermine U.S. legal systems through coercive tactics. Abbott declared that Texas would not permit such groups to operate freely, and he emphasized that neither organization would be allowed to purchase land in Texas now that they are listed as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations.

The proclamation includes extensive descriptions of the Muslim Brotherhood’s origins and stated ideological objectives. It portrays the Brotherhood as a widespread Islamist network whose founder, Hassan al-Banna, taught that jihad — including violent struggle against non-believers — is a compulsory duty. It also cites statements from a later leader who asserted that the Brotherhood’s ultimate mission was to impose Sharia law globally. Hamas, which is designated by the U.S. government as a foreign terrorist organization, is described as the Brotherhood’s Palestinian branch, a point Abbott used to reinforce his justification for the state’s action.

On the issue of CAIR, the proclamation repeats longstanding assertions from federal investigators that the organization was initially established in the United States as a support arm for Hamas. It notes that CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator during a major terrorism-financing trial involving the Holy Land Foundation, and it quotes a federal judge’s finding that there was “ample evidence” linking CAIR to Hamas. The document points to several individuals who at various times were affiliated with CAIR — as employees, board members, or public representatives — who were later convicted of crimes involving terrorism, material support for terrorist groups, or sanctions violations. These include Ghassan Elashi, Abdurahman Alamoudi, Randall Todd Royer, Bassem Khafagi, Rabih Haddad, Muthanna al-Hanooti, and Sami Al-Arian, as well as comments made by CAIR’s current executive director, Nihad Awad, whom Abbott accuses of publicly praising the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The proclamation also notes that the FBI broke off formal contact with CAIR in 2008 and that the Biden administration later distanced federal agencies from the organization in 2023.

CAIR’s national office, headquartered in Washington, responded forcefully to Abbott’s action. In a lengthy statement, the organization rejected the state’s allegations and portrayed the proclamation as a political stunt rooted in anti-Muslim animus. CAIR emphasized its three decades of work in civil rights advocacy, including promoting religious liberty, defending free speech, and publicly denouncing terrorism and violent extremism. The group argued that Abbott relied on conspiracy theories and discredited claims to label it a terrorist group. CAIR accused the governor of deliberately fueling anti-Muslim sentiment for political purposes and said he was prioritizing the interests of pro-Israel donors over the constitutional rights of Texans. The group also pointed out that it has successfully sued Abbott on multiple occasions for violating the First Amendment and asserted that it would be prepared to challenge this latest move in court if the proclamation is used to enact enforceable policy.

CAIR-Texas issued its own statement, likewise condemning the proclamation as defamatory and unlawful. The state chapter pledged to continue its civil rights advocacy and said its legal team was preparing an appropriate response. CAIR-Texas sent Abbott a detailed letter refuting the claims in the proclamation, outlining the organization’s long record of opposing terrorism, and pointing to independent investigations and court rulings that have dismissed efforts to tie CAIR to foreign extremist groups. CAIR-Texas also accused Abbott of amplifying content from known anti-Muslim activists online, including individuals associated with Islamophobic and white-supremacist circles.

The proclamation is also tied to a series of legislative measures Texas passed in recent years aimed at increasing the state’s authority over foreign entities and groups classified as hostile actors. These include a 2017 law barring the enforcement of foreign legal systems — including Sharia law — within Texas courts; a 2023 law expanding state tools for confronting foreign terrorist organizations; and a 2025 statute preventing hostile foreign nations or criminal organizations from acquiring Texas land.

With Abbott’s proclamation now in effect, both the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR are subject to new restrictions within Texas, though the extent to which the state can enforce these designations against national or international groups is likely to be contested in courts in the months ahead.

Source: FOX 4 NEWS