Texas Governor Greg Abbott ignited strong criticism after designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as “terrorist” and “transnational criminal organisations.” His proclamation effectively bans both groups and anyone linked to them from buying land in the state, despite neither organisation appearing on the US federal terrorism list.
CAIR, the country’s largest Muslim civil rights group, condemned the move as unconstitutional and deeply Islamophobic, warning that the governor’s action weaponises conspiracy theories to target Muslim communities. The organisation said any attempt to turn the proclamation into enforceable policy would face an immediate legal challenge, stressing that such accusations lack evidence.
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The announcement also revived tensions surrounding EPIC City, a proposed Muslim-led housing development near Dallas that faced political opposition. Abbott and other Republican officials previously backed legislation against alleged “Sharia compounds,” even though federal investigators found no violations and closed their inquiry without any charges or concerns.
Furthermore, critics said linking CAIR to the Muslim Brotherhood repeats long-discredited claims used to undermine legitimate Muslim institutions and limit their ability to organise or own property. Muslim lawmaker Salman Bhojani denounced the governor’s action as a direct attack on religious freedom, urging him to reverse a proclamation he called discriminatory and dangerous.
Meanwhile, Republican state representative Cole Hefner supported Abbott’s decision, portraying it as a necessary step for public safety. However, legal experts argue that only the federal government has the authority to classify foreign terrorist organisations, raising serious constitutional issues with the governor’s unilateral declaration and its potential legal fallout.
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Civil rights groups warn that this designation could set a precedent for further restrictions on Muslim civic life across Texas, marking what many describe as a troubling escalation in policies that marginalise Muslim Americans. They fear the move signals a growing political effort to stigmatise Muslim communities under the guise of state security.