Texas Labels CAIR and Muslim Organizations as Terrorist Entities

Post by : Raina Nasser

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas took a bold step on Tuesday by officially labeling two prominent Muslim organizations, including the notable Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as terrorist and transnational criminal groups. This controversial move has incited a widespread national dialogue, highlighting pressing concerns regarding civil liberties, state authority, and the overarching political tensions related to the Gaza conflict.

In a statement shared on X, Abbott revealed the designations, categorizing both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as blacklisted entities under Texas law. He asserted, “Today, I designated the Muslim Brotherhood and Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations,” claiming the action is crucial for “protecting Texas.”

Following this order, both organizations are now prohibited from purchasing or owning land in Texas, and the state has the authority to initiate lawsuits to dismantle their operations.

A Significant Departure from Federal Oversight

This bold declaration has raised significant eyebrows as it traditionally falls within the sole jurisdiction of the federal government to classify organizations as terrorist entities.

However, Abbott has consistently pushed the limits of state authority, particularly regarding security and immigration matters. In September 2024, he classified the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua as an international terrorist group, a designation later mirrored by former President Donald Trump at the federal level in February 2025.

Legal experts caution that this recent development signals a troubling escalation and could encourage other states to follow suit in making politically driven designations without federal input.

CAIR Decries Abbott’s Actions as an Assault on Muslim Rights

CAIR—one of the largest and most prominent Muslim civil rights organizations in the U.S.—has condemned Abbott's announcement, claiming it is indicative of “anti-Muslim hysteria” that he has been promoting for months, especially against Muslims who voice skepticism regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.

With 30 offices across the nation since its inception in the mid-1990s, CAIR argues that Texas’s decision is motivated politically, aiming to silence Muslim advocacy during a time of heightened tension over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Texas boasts one of the fastest-rising Muslim populations in the U.S., with more than 313,000 individuals identifying as Muslim by 2025. Civil rights organizations express concern that this new designation may incite discrimination, instances of community harassment, and legal ambiguities for Muslim residents of Texas.

Abbott’s Firm Stance on Israel and Restrictions on Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations

The Texas governor has emerged as one of the staunchest proponents of Israel amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. Over the last year, Abbott has frequently described pro-Palestinian student protests as antisemitic and has advocated for tighter state regulations on university gatherings.

In September 2025, he enacted a law forbidding real estate projects from transitioning into “exclusive complexes operating under Sharia law,” a measure prompted by the state attorney general's scrutiny of a development project in Plano, which was accused of claiming religious exclusivity—allegations firmly denied by the developers.

Intensifying Political Divisions

Abbott’s decision comes amid a period of acute polarization within the U.S. As the Gaza conflict continues to permeate domestic politics, the classification of CAIR—a well-established civil rights organization with millions of supporters—represents one of the most severe state-level actions against a Muslim group in decades.

Supporters of the Texas governor argue that this action enhances security and combats extremism. Critics, however, view it as a perilous overreach that unfairly targets an entire community cloaked in the pretext of national security.

A Decision With Far-Reaching Consequences

The repercussions from this decision are expected to extend well beyond Texas. Advocates for civil liberties foresee numerous legal challenges on the horizon, while political analysts suggest that this could become a contentious topic in the upcoming 2025–26 electoral cycle.

As the nation grapples with issues surrounding religious freedom, state authority, and the United States' involvement in the Middle East, Texas’s classification of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood is emerging as one of the most significant and divisive domestic security decisions in recent years.