The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced that it is in the process of filing a lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for designating a civil rights group as a “foreign terrorist” organization.
Hiba Rahim, interim executive director of the state chapter of CAIR, told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that DeSantis’ decision would not have an immediate impact on the group, but could fuel Islamophobia in Florida and across the United States.
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“We will continue the work we do every day to protect civil liberties, protect American Muslims, protect our communities as a whole, and defend our Constitution,” Rahim told Al Jazeera.
DeSantis announced his decision to blacklist CAIR on Monday, calling on state agencies to take action against those who provide “material support” to civil rights groups.
But critics say the governor’s “foreign terrorist” designation appears to be largely symbolic. Such designations can only be made at the federal level.
Additionally, CAIR is a national group with dozens of chapters across the United States and hundreds of employees and contributors who are U.S. citizens. Therefore, it cannot be classified as a foreign group.
“Material support for terrorism” is a serious criminal charge that requires legal proceedings, but civil rights groups have not yet received any formal charges.
But DeSantis’ announcement echoes a similar move taken last month by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, also a Republican.
DeSantis ‘welcomes’ lawsuit
Founded in 1994, CAIR calls itself the largest civil liberties organization for Muslim Americans. The group says it supports “free enterprise, freedom of religion and freedom of expression” and opposes all violence against civilians.
CAIR has been involved in major lawsuits defending Muslim civil rights, including cases that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
The group is also filing legal challenges to protect the free speech rights of U.S. citizens who work in support of Palestinian rights.
DeSantis, who ran unsuccessfully for president last year, designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a “terrorist” group in an executive order on Monday.
The decree mentions Israel and says Hamas seeks “the eradication of the Jewish people from their historic homeland of Judea and Samaria” (another name for the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank).
CAIR has long been a target of right-wing pro-Israel advocates. The Israeli government itself has asked the Defense Ministry to consider designating U.S. nonprofit organizations as terrorist groups.
In an interview Tuesday, Rahim criticized DeSantis for pursuing an “Israel first” policy instead of protecting American citizens who may belong to CAIR.
She emphasized that in 2019, DeSantis became the first Florida governor to hold an official cabinet meeting in Israel, a sign of his close ties with the country.
Rahim also criticized the governor for not speaking out about the plight of Palestinian American voters.
In July, Israeli settlers in the West Bank bludgeoned Florida ice cream shop worker Seifola Musalet to death, and 16-year-old Florida teen Mohamed Ibrahim was imprisoned by Israel for more than eight months this year without any public protest from the governor.
“What kind of priorities does he show to Floridians when he advocates an ‘Israel first’ policy and ignores the needs of Floridians?” Rahim told Al Jazeera.
Earlier Tuesday, Rahim told reporters that CAIR is proud to be “America First” and emphasized the Muslim group’s patriotism, while questioning DeSantis’ loyalty. She said CAIR’s mission is to protect the rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Florida’s governor said he welcomed the lawsuit against CAIR’s “terrorist” designation, arguing that a legal challenge would give the state “subpoenaable discovery rights” to access the group’s bank records.
However, if there is indeed any suspicion of criminal activity at CAIR, state authorities should be able to request a search warrant to investigate its activities without waiting for a lawsuit.
Rahim also seemed unfazed by the prospect of the group’s records being made public. “We welcome that too. We will see him in court,” she told reporters.
Islamophobia on the rise
CAIR’s targeting comes amid a surge in Islamophobia across the U.S. as politicians, including allies of President Donald Trump, increase anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Earlier this year, several right-wing lawmakers, including Chip Roy and Tommy Tuberville, introduced legislation opposing Islamic law, a measure that critics consider a dangerous red herring.
Rights advocates say the bill aims to demonize the Muslim community and portray Islam as a threat to the constitution, rather than addressing real issues.
Last month, anti-Muslim activists also marched in the city of Dearborn, Michigan, which is home to a large Muslim community. There they hurled racist insults at residents and attempted to burn the Koran.
Ahmed Bedier, a Muslim-American activist who hosts a radio show in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, said there appears to be a concerted effort by right-wing and pro-Israel supporters to portray Muslims as a threat to distract from the atrocities in the Gaza Strip.
“This definitely feels like there is a coordinated campaign to somehow convince Americans that Muslims are the real enemy. There is a fear among Muslims that ‘Muslims are taking over. Islamic law is conquering,'” Bedier told Al Jazeera.
He added that targeting CAIR was a “political stunt disguised as security policy.”
So far, the federal government has not commented on DeSantis’ move against CAIR. The US State Department, which has the authority to label groups as “terrorists,” did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment.
But Trump himself has become increasingly anti-immigrant, recently calling the predominantly Muslim Somali community in the United States “trash.”
Back in 2015, while campaigning for his first term as president, President Trump called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States.
But during his reelection campaign last year, Trump actively reached out to the Muslim community, visiting Dearborn and inviting imams to join him on stage at a rally in Michigan.
On Tuesday, Rahim called on the US president to side with CAIR against DeSantis.
“Every person and every politician has a chance and a chance to make the right decision,” she told Al Jazeera.
“Again in this case, despite President Trump’s history, statements, opinions, and biases, we encourage him to study the facts and take a position based on facts and justice.”
