Texas Declares CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood Terror Groups

exas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday formally designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) under Texas state law, a move that immediately restricts both groups—and their affiliates—from purchasing land or property within the state.

The proclamation, filed with the Secretary of State on Nov. 18, 2025, invokes authority under the Texas Penal Code, Property Code, and Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Under these designations:

• FTO status triggers heightened civil penalties for individuals or groups that support, aid, or promote the organizations’ alleged criminal activities.

• TCO status prohibits the organizations and their affiliates from acquiring or owning real estate in Texas; violations could result in forced divestiture and potential civil or criminal consequences.

Governor Abbott’s Rationale

Gov. Abbott said the action was necessary to protect Texans from what he described as threats posed by the two groups.

“The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam’s ‘mastership of the world,’” Abbott said in a written statement. “Their support for terrorism, and their efforts to subvert the rule of law through violence, intimidation, and harassment, are unacceptable in Texas.”

The proclamation frames the Muslim Brotherhood as a global Islamist movement founded on calls for jihad, citing past statements by its leaders and its historic connections to Hamas, which the U.S. government classifies as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Why the Muslim Brotherhood Was Targeted

The document asserts that the Muslim Brotherhood seeks worldwide enforcement of Sharia law and has supported entities involved in terrorism abroad. It highlights:

• The organization’s repeated ideological endorsements of armed jihad

• Its links to Hamas, described as the Brotherhood’s Palestinian branch

• A history of alleged support networks that have enabled global militant groups

Why CAIR Was Included in the Designation

Abbott’s proclamation also designates CAIR—a U.S.-based civil rights organization—as both an FTO and TCO under state law, citing several federal cases and past convictions involving individuals previously associated with CAIR. The proclamation references:

• FBI statements characterizing CAIR as having origins tied to Hamas support networks

• CAIR’s identification as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in a major federal terrorism-financing case

• A list of former staff or affiliates later convicted of terrorism-related offenses

Individuals cited include Ghassan Elashi, Abdurahman Alamoudi, Randall Royer, Bassem Khafagi, Rabih Haddad, Muthanna al-Hanooti, and others whose cases involved terror financing, fraud, or sanctions violations.

The proclamation further notes that the FBI suspended formal contacts with CAIR in 2008 and that recent federal documents have removed references to the organization to create distance.

CAIR Responds

CAIR’s national office strongly rejected the designation, calling it “defamatory,” “lawless,” and based on “debunked conspiracy theories.”

In a statement, CAIR said:

“CAIR is an independent American civil rights organization that has spent 30 years protecting free speech, advancing religious freedom, and promoting justice. Governor Abbott’s proclamation is a politically motivated stunt with no basis in fact or law.”

CAIR leaders accused Abbott of promoting anti-Muslim sentiment and acting on behalf of pro-Israel lobbying interests, asserting that the organization has consistently condemned terrorism—including threats from ISIS—and has successfully sued Abbott in past First Amendment cases.

CAIR-Texas added that it intends to continue operating in the state and is preparing legal action. The organization sent a formal letter to Abbott disputing his claims and citing court decisions and reports that, they say, refute attempts to tie CAIR to foreign extremist groups.

Legislative Context

The proclamation references several state laws previously signed by Abbott, including:

• House Bill 45 (2017): Barring enforcement of foreign laws, including Sharia law, in Texas courts

• Senate Bill 1900 (2023): Expanding tools to counter foreign terrorist activity

• Senate Bill 17 (2025): Restricting land purchases by foreign adversaries and TCOs

These statutes form the legal foundation for Abbott’s current designations.

Further Reading: 

• Associated Press — “Texas governor declares Muslim civil-rights group a terrorist organization”
  https://apnews.com/article/157f7a5242455647e78cbfb5e20a03ca AP News

• The Guardian — “Texas governor Abbott designates CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood terrorist groups”
  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/18/texas-governor-abbott-cair-muslim-brotherhood-terror-groups The Guardian

• Houston Chronicle — “Greg Abbott designates Muslim Brotherhood, Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist groups”
  https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/greg-abbott-muslim-21194463.php Houston Chronicle

• The Texas Tribune — “Abbott seeks to ban two Muslim groups and their members from owning land in Texas”
  https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/18/greg-abbott-muslim-land-ownership-ban/

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