Greg Abbott's labeling of Cair as 'terror' fuels legal battle in Texas's ongoing fight against Islamophobia

Anti-Muslim sentiment has been intensifying across the United States, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a civil rights organization, reporting a significant rise in both violence and hostile rhetoric targeting Muslims in the past two years. In Texas, these tensions have become especially visible through several high-profile incidents, including the case of a woman from Euless who attempted to drown two Palestinian-American children and was released on $40,000 bail.

The conflict escalated when Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a staunch Republican, declared CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizationsa designation that federal authorities alone can legally make. Abbotts proclamation, issued on November 18, called for stricter enforcement against these groups and prohibited them from acquiring property in Texas. Two days later, he instructed the state Department of Public Safety to investigate CAIR.

In response, CAIRs Texas chapters filed a federal lawsuit against Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, arguing that the governors declaration violates constitutional protections, including free speech, due process, and property rights. CAIR emphasizes that it has never been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. government and has successfully defended free speech cases in Texas courts, including supporting students and a teacher expressing pro-Palestinian views.

Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIRs national deputy director, suggested that the recent court victories have provoked Abbotts hostility, accusing him of transforming conspiracy theories into state policy. The governors proclamation listed eight individuals allegedly tied to terrorism-related activities, although some have no connection to CAIR, while others had been prosecuted independently of the organization. Mitchell highlighted that CAIR has even defended individuals wrongfully accused of crimes.

Critics also note a wider pattern of Islamophobia in Texas politics. Dr. Omar Suleiman, founder of the Dallas-based Yaqeen Institute, called Abbotts action political theater, saying Muslims have repeatedly been targeted not for posing a threat, but for political gain. Charles Swift, representing the Muslim Legal Fund of America in the lawsuit, described Abbotts designation of CAIR as a constitutional overreach.

Earlier attacks on Muslim communities by other Texas politicians underscore the broader context. Republican congressional candidate Valentina Gomez publicly burned a Quran and made inflammatory statements about Islam, while Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller shared imagery equating Islam with danger and later backed a resolution condemning CAIR.

State scrutiny of Muslim-led projects, such as the planned Epic City community in North Texas, has also raised concerns. Abbott and Paxton investigated the development under allegations of consumer and fair housing violations, despite the Department of Justice later closing its civil rights inquiry without filing charges. Suleiman described these actions as examples of Islamophobia shaping policy, noting that legislation now restricts faith-based housing developments, disproportionately affecting Muslim communities.

Advocates stress the importance of electing leaders who recognize the contributions of Muslims in Texas, rather than perpetuating fear. Suleiman emphasized that Muslims serve as integral members of societyas teachers, doctors, business owners, and public servantsand warned against leaders using anti-Muslim rhetoric for political purposes.

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• Greg Abbott’s Cair ‘terror’ label stokes legal fight in Texas’s long struggle with Islamophobia