Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation on Tuesday designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations under state law.

The governor announced on X on Tuesday: “I designated the Muslim Brotherhood and Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations. This bans them from buying or acquiring land in Texas and authorizes the Attorney General to sue to shut them down.”

The action bars these groups and their affiliates from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas and authorizes the state attorney general to pursue legal measures against their operations.

Abbott cited the organizations’ goals of imposing Sharia law and supporting terrorism, amid praise from conservatives and criticism from CAIR, which plans to challenge the designation legally.

Sen. Ted Cruz supported the action, describing it as ‘excellent and important,’ stating further: “The Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist organization. I’m committed to designating the Muslim Brotherhood at a federal level as well, and we have many paths to do so.

“I’ve introduced legislation that implements a new and modernized strategy, and I am pushing my colleagues to pass it expeditiously. The same thing could also be done by President Trump as an Executive Order. Getting this done is critical to the safety and security of Americans.” He added

However, the Muslim Civil Rights Organisation condemned Abbott’s action, claimed his proclamation have no basis

CAIR wrote: “Greg Abbott is an Israel First politician who has spent months stoking anti-Muslim hysteria to smear American Muslims critical of the Israeli government. Although we are flattered by his obsession with our civil rights group, his defamatory proclamation has no basis in fact or law.

“Unlike Mr. Abbott–who unleashed violence against Texas students protesting the Gaza genocide to satisfy his AIPAC donors–our civil rights organization is an independent voice that answers to the American people, relies on support from the American people, and opposes all forms of unjust violence, including hate crimes, ethnic cleansing, genocide and terrorism.

“CAIR has successfully sued @GregAbbott_TX three different times for shredding the First Amendment to benefit the Israeli government, and we are ready to sue him again if he attempts to turn this publicity stunt into real policy. See you in court again, Greg…if you dare” the group threatened