Muslim and interfaith leaders are calling on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to rescind his controversial designation of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
A coalition of Muslim and interfaith leaders is urging Texas Governor Greg Abbott to retract his recent proclamation that labels the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization.” This designation, made at the state level, does not carry the legal weight of a federal Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) listing, which can only be issued by the U.S. State Department. Consequently, Abbott’s proclamation does not activate federal terrorism penalties or authorities.
During a news conference held on Tuesday, leaders from various Muslim organizations condemned the governor’s proclamation, which also characterized CAIR as a “transnational criminal organization.” They described the designation as defamatory, destructive, and dangerous, according to reports from Fox 4.
This demand for retraction follows CAIR’s legal action against the state of Texas, asserting that Abbott’s declaration violates both the U.S. Constitution and state law. CAIR contends that the order infringes upon its First Amendment rights and due-process protections, arguing that terrorism designations should fall under federal jurisdiction rather than state authority.
“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,” said Mustaffa Carroll, the executive director for CAIR Dallas Fort Worth, during the news conference. “This is not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law.”
Marium Uddin from the Muslim Legal Defense Fund also spoke at the event, emphasizing that CAIR has a long history of condemning violence and fighting against terrorism and bigotry. “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,” she stated.
Support for CAIR has also come from leaders of other faiths, including Jewish representatives. Deborah Armintor from Jewish Voice for Peace expressed solidarity, stating, “We stand steadfast in solidarity with our comrades in CAIR and in unwavering support in their lawsuit against Abbott’s false and unconstitutional proclamation.”
Texas State Representative Terry Meza, a Democrat, added that the governor’s remarks are not only incorrect but also pose a danger to the Muslim community. “Making comments like this is dangerous to our Muslim community,” she remarked.
The legal battle is ongoing, and it remains uncertain whether a court will uphold Abbott’s order or determine that it exceeds state authority. The governor’s decree also prevents CAIR from purchasing land in Texas under a new statute aimed at restricting acquisitions linked to “foreign adversaries.” Additionally, Abbott’s order extends the “terrorist” label to the Muslim Brotherhood, despite the fact that the federal government has never classified either group in that manner.
As this situation unfolds, the implications of Abbott’s proclamation and the ongoing lawsuit will likely continue to draw attention and debate regarding civil rights and the boundaries of state authority.
Source: Original article