The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, challenging Abbott’s proclamation that declared CAIR a foreign terrorist organization and barred the group from owning property in Texas. The lawsuit, which also targets the Muslim Brotherhood, alleges violations of constitutional rights to due process, free speech, and religious liberty.
Lawsuit Alleges Constitutional Violations
CAIR’s legal team, working with the Muslim Legal Fund of America, says Abbott’s move is unconstitutional and defamatory. CAIR says the federal government has not labeled CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as an organization. The lawsuit says the attempt to punish the nation’s civil rights and advocacy organization because Governor Abbott disagrees with CAIR’s views is contrary to the United States Constitution and has no support in any Texas law. Abbott’s statement tells the law enforcement agencies to look into CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood. Law enforcement agencies must investigate whether CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood has violated state or federal law. Law enforcement agencies must also investigate money laundering and criminal conspiracy.
State vs. Federal Designation
Abbott justified his action by describing CAIR as a “successor organization” to the Muslim Brotherhood, which he also labeled a terrorist group. Still, the U.S. government does not recognize either group as a foreign terrorist organization. The lawsuit emphasizes that Abbott’s declaration is based on “cherry-picked” statements and “inflammatory” rhetoric rather than verifiable evidence. CAIR’s national statement, which has been on its website since 2009, unequivocally condemns terrorism, including attacks by Hamas.
Anti-Muslim Policies in Texas
The legal action follows a series of actions by Abbott and other Texas officials, including investigations into plans for a Muslim-centric neighborhood near Dallas and a directive to probe so-called “Sharia tribunals”.
CAIR and its allies have criticized these moves as rooted in anti-Muslim conspiracy theories and as an assault on religious freedom. Charles Swift, head of MLFA’s criminal defense department, said he does not expect the federal government to follow Abbott’s lead, adding, “I think the federal government knows the difference between a foreign organization and a domestic organization”.