Muslims in Texas Are Harassed and Surveilled. Greg Abbot Is Making It Worse.

"The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is the largest and most prominent Muslim civil liberties organization in the United States, founded in 1994 to provide legal support, monitor hate crimes, promote government relations with the Muslim community, and mobilize Muslim voters. For the last few years, it has also been deeply involved in student organizing and pro-Palestinian activism following Israel's assault on Gaza."

"When CAIR's national executive director Nihad Awad made comments in the days immediately following the October 7 attacks saying that he was "happy to see people breaking the siege" of Gaza and arguing that "the people of Gaza have the right to self-defense," the Biden administration publicly disavowed the group. In August, Senator Marco Rubio was asked in a telephone interview about the possibility of identifying CAIR as a terrorist organization alongside other groups like the Muslim Brotherhood."

"Since then, criticism of CAIR, especially among Republicans in Texas, has only intensified. On November 18, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation declaring CAIR a "terrorist organization." The order branded the group as a "front" for Hamas and, among other sweeping restrictions, barred the organization from purchasing land in the state. Following Abbott's declaration, the acting state comptroller has attempted to block certain private schools"

CAIR is the largest Muslim civil liberties organization in the United States, founded in 1994 to provide legal support, monitor hate crimes, promote government relations with the Muslim community, and mobilize Muslim voters. Recently CAIR engaged in student organizing and pro-Palestinian activism after Israel's assault on Gaza. CAIR's national executive director Nihad Awad said he was "happy to see people breaking the siege" of Gaza and that "the people of Gaza have the right to self-defense," prompting the Biden administration to publicly disavow the group. Senator Marco Rubio raised the possibility of designating CAIR a terrorist organization. On November 18 Governor Greg Abbott proclaimed CAIR a "terrorist organization," branded it a "front" for Hamas, and barred the group from purchasing land in Texas. The acting state comptroller has attempted to block certain private schools following the proclamation.

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