News|Civil RightsFlorida lists Muslim rights group CAIR a ‘terror organisation’Council on American-Islamic Relations has responded to the designation, calling it an ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘defamatory’ proclamation.
On Mon, Nov 24, 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a "foreign terrorist organisation." This designation aligns with a similar recent action by the Governor of…
On Mon, Nov 24, 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a "foreign terrorist organisation." This designation aligns with a similar recent action by the Governor of Texas. CAIR has responded by launching legal challenges to these designations.
The executive order claims that CAIR was "founded by persons connected to the Muslim Brotherhood," which the order describes as attempting to establish a "world-wide Islamic caliphate" and having links to Hamas. It also designates the Muslim Brotherhood under the same classification.
This designation imposes increased oversight by state law enforcement and introduces financial and operational restrictions. Florida agencies are directed to prevent CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, along with entities providing them material support, from receiving state contracts, employment, and funds from state executive or cabinet agencies.
The executive order claims that CAIR was "founded by persons connected to the Muslim Brotherhood," which the order describes as attempting to establish a "world-wide Islamic caliphate" and having links to Hamas.
It is noteworthy that neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is classified as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US government. However, the federal government, under the direction of then-President Donald Trump, initiated procedures to label certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as "terrorist" organisations due to alleged support for Hamas.
CAIR's Florida chapter has announced plans to file a lawsuit against Governor DeSantis, contesting the designation as "unconstitutional" and "defamatory." The organisation has previously initiated legal proceedings against Texas Governor Greg Abbott, arguing that the designation contravenes the United States Constitution and lacks legal backing under Texas law.
Founded in 1994, CAIR operates 25 chapters nationwide. The organisation has been involved in various legal disputes to challenge state-level designations and defend its activities within the United States.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
