Dallas, TX – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott following his recent designation of the organization as a terrorist entity. The lawsuit, announced Thursday, alleges that Abbott’s actions are unconstitutional and seeks to prevent the state from enforcing the designation.
CAIR, a prominent Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, asserts that the designation as a terrorist organization would severely restrict its ability to operate in Texas. Under such a classification, CAIR would be barred from owning property within the state and could face further punitive measures.
Governor Abbott’s initial announcement, made earlier this week, labeled CAIR as a “foreign terrorist organization” under a decree that he claims grants the state the authority to shut down the organization. He further characterized CAIR as a “transnational criminal organization,” prohibiting it from purchasing land in Texas. The decree also targeted the Muslim Brotherhood.
“This designation is a blatant attack on our constitutional rights and an attempt to silence a leading voice for the Muslim community,” stated a CAIR spokesperson. The lawsuit names both Governor Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as defendants.
This is not the first legal challenge CAIR has brought against Abbott. The organization has previously filed three lawsuits against the governor, alleging violations of its First Amendment rights to free speech. To date, neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood are officially designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States government.
The legal battle is expected to be protracted, with significant implications for civil rights and the freedom of association in Texas. DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing story.
