Florida Becomes the Second State to Designate CAIR a Foreign Terrorist Organization
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order officially designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), one of the nation’s most prominent Muslim civil rights organizations, as a “foreign terrorist organization.” This makes him the second Republican governor in recent weeks to take such action, following Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
CAIR’s Florida chapter responded immediately, announcing a lawsuit challenging the order during a press conference on Tuesday in Tampa. Hiba Rahim, the chapter’s interim executive director, described the move as “defamatory and unconstitutional.”
DeSantis’ order reveals that CAIR has ties to Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed roughly 1,200 people. Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Gaza have reportedly claimed more than 70,000 lives and caused widespread destruction, according to the Gazan health ministry. CAIR has denied any connection to Hamas.
The Florida action comes shortly after Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a similar executive order against CAIR, which the organization has also challenged in federal court. CAIR argued that Abbott’s order was unconstitutional and politically motivated, aimed at punishing the group for its views rather than any proven wrongdoing.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, DeSantis welcomed the lawsuit, saying it could allow the state to examine CAIR’s financial records and other documents through legal discovery.
As with Abbott’s order, DeSantis’ executive order also names the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian-founded Islamist organization, as a foreign terrorist group.
Currently, the U.S. federal government has not officially designated CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, though President Donald Trump last month began the process of designating certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan.
The Florida order directs state agencies to prevent CAIR from receiving contracts, employment, or funding from the state. Founded in 1994, CAIR operates chapters in nearly two dozen U.S. states, advocating for Muslim American civil rights and community outreach.
Why It Matters
Under the guise of religious liberty, certain Muslim organizations have attempted to covertly set up their ideology and influence in America, with motives that are not based on religious liberty but rather oppression. Islam is an ideology of conquest that seeks to dominate and subvert the will of the people into compliance with a legalistic, oppressive regime. Americans are waking up to this fact and restricting this through executive actions. Other states should follow suit.
Faith Perspective
From a faith-based perspective, we know there is only one true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus revealed to us a God of love and sacrifice who gave his best to reconcile us to himself forever. As Christians, we should be active in sharing our faith and serving our neighbors in the name of Jesus so that God’s love can truly be revealed.
