Texas: The Council on American Islamic Relations accused Governor Greg Abbott of promoting anti Muslim hysteria after he labeled CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal groups. CAIR said the proclamation has no basis in fact or law. It stated Abbott is advancing political interests linked to Israel and not the needs of Texans.
The governor announced the designation earlier this week. The order targets CAIR, the largest Muslim civil rights group in the United States, and the Muslim Brotherhood, a movement founded in Egypt in 1928. Abbott’s move follows months of political disputes in Texas over Palestine related activism and student demonstrations.
CAIR responded with a strong statement. It said Abbott has used state law in the past to target Muslim nonprofit groups and that these attempts failed in court. The group said it has sued Abbott three times for actions that restricted pro Palestinian speech in Texas. CAIR said it is prepared to take legal action again if the governor attempts to turn the current announcement into state policy.
CAIR said it will continue its civil rights work in the state. The organization said it has sent a detailed letter to Abbott. The letter outlines its thirty year record of defending civil rights and rejecting all forms of unjust violence, including terrorism. It also cites multiple rulings and independent reports that dismiss efforts to link CAIR to foreign entities.
The group said it will defend its right to operate in Texas. It stated that it answers to the American public and will continue its advocacy work.
