Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday declared one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in the United States a “foreign terrorist organization” under a declaration that he said allows the state to try to shut it down.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations also designated it a “transnational criminal organization” and said it would not be allowed to purchase land in the state. The advertisement also included Muslim Brotherhood.
Neither the Council on American-Islamic Relations nor the Muslim Brotherhood It is set as Foreign terrorist organizations by the US government.
Kerr told Abbott in a letter that his announcement had no basis “in law or fact.” The group accused his office of stoking “anti-Muslim hysteria.”
Written by Robert S. McCaw, director of government affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations: “You do not have the authority to unilaterally declare any Americans or American institutions terrorist groups, and there is no basis for these smears against our organization.”
Months ago, Texas Republicans moved aggressively to try to stop Muslim-centered planned society About one of the state’s largest mosques near Dallas. Abbott and other state Republican Party officials have launched investigations into development linked to the East Plano Islamic Center, saying the group is trying to create an exclusive Muslim community that enforces Islamic law.
EPIC City representatives described the attacks related to Islamic law and other assertions as misleading, dangerous and baseless. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice Close a federal civil rights investigation In the planned community without filing any charges or lawsuits.
In his announcement, Abbott cited a law he signed this year that he said prohibits “foreign adversaries” from buying or acquiring land. The Republican author of this bill praised the governor’s announcement.
“Today proves exactly why this law is needed,” Republican state Rep. Cole Hefner posted on X.
the Muslim Brotherhood It was founded in Egypt nearly a century ago and has branches all over the world. Its leaders say it has renounced violence for decades and seeks to establish Islamic rule through elections and other peaceful means. Critics, including authoritarian governments across the Middle East, view it as a threat.