URGENT UPDATE: Texas has officially become the first state to designate the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations. Governor Greg Abbott made this groundbreaking announcement on Tuesday, invoking powers under the Texas Penal Code and Property Code to prohibit these groups from acquiring property within state boundaries.
This bold move comes amid rising scrutiny of the organizations, with Abbott 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.’” He emphasized that these “radical extremists are not welcome in our state,” effectively barring them from any real property interests in Texas.
Abbott’s proclamation has significant implications, allowing for what he termed “heightened enforcement” against these groups. CAIR, founded in 1994, positions itself as a grassroots civil rights organization for Muslims but has faced allegations of ties to terrorism over the years. The proclamation cites evidence linking CAIR members to “terrorism-related activities,” referencing the FBI’s classification of CAIR as a “front group” for Hamas.
In a swift response, CAIR condemned Abbott’s announcement, framing it as a “publicity stunt” lacking legal basis. The organization plans to consider legal action against the Texas governor. “Although we are flattered by Greg Abbott’s obsession with our civil rights organization, his proclamation has no basis in fact or law,” CAIR stated.
The Muslim Brotherhood, established in 1928 in Egypt, has been accused of supporting extremist factions, including Hamas. While not officially designated as a terrorist group in the United States, its controversial status has prompted various congressional actions, including recent efforts by Senator Ted Cruz to classify it as such following violent incidents linked to its supporters.
The announcement has garnered praise from the Middle East Forum, a think tank that has documented CAIR’s alleged connections to terrorism. Its director, Gregg Roman, described the proclamation as “vindication,” asserting that Abbott’s actions “shattered the facade” CAIR has maintained. Roman urged other states to adopt similar measures, stating, “Texas just proved that states don’t need Washington’s permission to protect their citizens from terror-linked organizations.”
As this situation develops, all eyes will be on other states to see if they follow Texas’s lead. With Abbott’s decisive action, the conversation surrounding national security and the influence of organizations like CAIR is set to intensify.
Stay tuned for updates as the legal and political ramifications unfold in Texas and beyond.
