Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday declared one of the country’s largest Muslim civil rights organizations, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as a “foreign terrorist organization” and a “transnational criminal organization,” citing a state law he signed this year aimed at blocking “foreign adversaries” from acquiring land.

Abbott’s proclamation also included the Muslim Brotherhood. He said the move allows Texas to take steps to shut down the groups and prevent them from buying land in the state. The U.S. government, however, does not recognize either CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations.

CAIR strongly rejected the designation, calling Abbott’s announcement baseless and accusing the governor of fueling “anti-Muslim hysteria.” Robert S. McCaw, CAIR’s government affairs director, said in a letter to Abbott that the governor has no legal authority to unilaterally label Americans or U.S.-based institutions as terrorists.

Earlier this year, Texas Republicans had opposed a Muslim-centered planned community near Dallas’ East Plano Islamic Center, claiming it would impose Islamic law. EPIC City, representing the community, dismissed these claims as false and dangerous. A federal civil rights investigation into the project was closed earlier in 2025 without charges.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt nearly a century ago, has branches worldwide and claims to pursue Islamic governance through peaceful means and elections. Critics, including several governments in the Middle East, consider it a threat.