Florida Governor Classifies CAIR, Leading Muslim Civil Rights Organization, As a “Terrorist Organization”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Monday that he was placing the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on the list of “foreign terrorist organizations.” The move, issued via executive order, aligns with a similar move taken last month by Texas. CAIR, the leading Muslim civil rights organization in the United States, strongly rejects this designation, which it considers “unconstitutional” and “defamatory”. The Florida branch has indicated that it will take the matter to court.

In a separate message, DeSantis said that the Florida Legislature was working on a law intended to “stop the influence of Sharia law,” also citing the desire to protect Floridians from CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood — also targeted by the decree. Neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood appear on the American federal list of terrorist organizations. The Muslim organization accuses the governor of serving foreign interests and targeting it for its civil rights work. She recalls that DeSantis has increased his gestures favorable to Israel since coming to power and only backed down on certain measures – notably against pro-Palestine student groups – after legal actions initiated by CAIR.

The group, founded in 1994 and present in 25 states, is also challenging before a federal judge the similar decision taken by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, whom it considers, like DeSantis, to be an “Israel First politician” seeking to silence Muslim voices critical of American policy in the Middle East.