Calls Renewed for US Terror Designation of Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, and ISNA

Amid persistent calls from some political figures and critics, the debate over designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) as terrorist organizations has resurfaced. A recent tweet from Sidharth urged President Trump to "officially designate CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) as terrorist organizations," alleging these groups are "ideological fronts that spread radicalism and anti-American hate under the guise of activism."

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is a transnational Sunni Islamist organization advocating for a state governed by Sharia law. While several countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, have officially designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist entity, the United States government has not. US administrations, including those of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, have considered such a designation but have refrained from a broad listing, often citing a lack of evidence to apply the label to the entire organization or concerns about potential diplomatic and policy repercussions. However, the U.S. has designated specific offshoots, such as Hamas, HASM, and Liwa al-Thawra, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

CAIR, a prominent Muslim civil rights and advocacy group established in 1994, has consistently denied any links to terrorism. Despite its active role in civil liberties advocacy, CAIR was named an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the 2008 Holy Land Foundation (HLF) terrorism financing trial, a case involving funds channeled to Hamas. This led the FBI to sever formal ties with the organization. The UAE designated CAIR as a terrorist organization in 2014, a move CAIR described as "shocking and bizarre." More recently, CAIR's Executive Director Nihad Awad faced White House condemnation and disassociation following controversial remarks regarding the October 7, 2023, attacks.

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), founded in 1963, is one of the largest and oldest Islamic umbrella organizations in North America, focused on fostering Muslim community development and interfaith relations. Like CAIR, ISNA was also named an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the Holy Land Foundation trial. ISNA has consistently denied any involvement in illegal activities or support for terrorism, asserting that the "unindicted co-conspirator" label was a legal tactic.

Under U.S. law, an organization can be designated an FTO if it is a foreign entity, engages in terrorist activity, and threatens the security of U.S. nationals or national security. While critics continue to press for the designation of these groups, citing alleged ties to extremist ideologies or past controversies, the U.S. government maintains that a broad designation requires meeting specific legal criteria for the entire entity, which it has not found sufficient to date for the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, or ISNA. The debate highlights the complex challenges of balancing national security concerns with civil liberties and diplomatic considerations.