Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday took a bold step by designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in the U.S., as a 'foreign terrorist organization'. This decision comes on the heels of a similar designation made by the Texas governor last month.
The executive order, shared on social media, labels both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood under the same umbrella. This designation has raised eyebrows, as neither organization has been officially recognized as a foreign terrorist entity by the U.S. government.
The directive mandates that state agencies refrain from entering contracts or providing funds to these organizations or any entities offering them support. In response, CAIR and its Florida chapter have declared their intent to challenge the ruling, citing it as an 'unconstitutional' and 'defamatory' act.
Established in 1994, CAIR operates with 25 chapters across the nation and was involved in a similar legal fight against the Texas governor's designation last month. They argued that such actions not only go against the U.S. Constitution but also lack foundation in Texas law.
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt nearly a century ago, positions itself as a peaceful political movement, with leaders claiming to have renounced violence. However, critics and various governments view it as a potentially destabilizing force.
