DeSantis' order prohibits CAIR, a national organization with chapters in states across the country, from receiving contracts, employment or funding from government agencies. When asked for comment, a DeSantis spokesperson forwarded Politico messages from DeSantis on X, including one in which he said: legislation was designed “to stop the spread of Sharia law, and I hope they enshrine these protections for Floridians from CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood into their legislation.”
DeSantis follows the lead of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who declared CAIR a terrorist organization in November but was non-profit organization sued a few days later. In both cases, the motive appears to be based on bigotry, according to DeSantis' order. claiming that through its alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR seeks to create a “global Islamic caliphate.”
CAIR has also been attacked for allegedly supporting Hamas, but the organization said in its lawsuit that it condemned the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel as well as other Hamas attacks. The use of the term “Sharia law” raises CONSPIRACY Right-wing groups have been pushing for this for decades, arguing that Muslims are trying to create a religious legal system.
