11/28/25 Reposted from msn.com
Muslim and interfaith leaders urged Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) to withdraw his state proclamation that labels the Council on American-Islamic Relations as a “foreign terrorist organization,” calling the move defamatory and unconstitutional.
CAIR has filed a lawsuit saying the order violates the First Amendment and exceeds state authority because only the U.S. State Department can make federal terrorism designations. It is unclear whether a court will block the proclamation or allow state restrictions, including a ban on land purchases, to take effect.
Mustaffa Carroll, executive director of CAIR Dallas Fort Worth said, “The governor is attempting to punish the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization simply because he disagrees with its protected First Amendment rights to criticize a foreign state that is conducting genocide. This is not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law.”
Marium Uddin, Muslim Legal Defense Fund said, “You know that CAIR has condemned Hamas attacks. You know that CAIR has spent 31 years fighting terrorism and bigotry. You know that the terrorism boogeyman you invoke is nothing more than a tired, formulated playbook to stoke fear of Muslims.”
Deborah Armintor, Jewish Voice for Peace said, “We stand steadfast in solidarity with our comrades in CAIR and in unwavering support in their lawsuit against Abbott’s false and unconstitutional proclamation.”
State Rep. Terry Meza (D-TX) said, “The governor’s words are not just wrong, they’re dangerous. Making comments like this is dangerous to our Muslim community.”
It is unclear whether courts will block the order and how state restrictions like the land‑purchase ban would be enforced if upheld.
