CAIR warns Republican claims of ‘terrorism’ leave everyone unsafe

CAIR warns Republican claims of ‘terrorism’ leave everyone unsafe
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A senior leader of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the United States, has warned that recent moves by Republican governors to label the group a “terrorist organization” threaten constitutional protections and could endanger civil society more broadly, The Guardian reported.

Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR’s deputy director, told The Guardian that decisions by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to designate CAIR as a terrorist or criminal organization represent an abuse of executive power. He said allowing governors to make such declarations without due process undermines free speech and legal protections for all advocacy groups.

In November, Abbott designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations,” a move that restricts property ownership and authorizes legal action to shut them down. DeSantis issued a similar order in December, barring the groups and anyone accused of supporting them from receiving state contracts or funding.

CAIR has rejected the allegations as unconstitutional and defamatory and has filed lawsuits in both states. The organization has repeatedly denied any ties to Hamas or the Muslim Brotherhood.

Mitchell warned that such actions could set a precedent allowing state leaders to target political opponents or advocacy organizations. He said the measures appear politically motivated and linked to CAIR’s advocacy on Palestinian rights.

While CAIR says its operations in Texas and Florida continue, Mitchell argued the orders carry real consequences and echo historical efforts to suppress civil rights groups. He also said anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate incidents have risen sharply since the Gaza war, increasing risks to Muslim communities nationwide.