Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order designating two Muslim advocacy groups in the U.S. as “foreign terrorist organizations.” He issued this directive against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood (You can read about it at https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/florida-ron-desantis-cair/2025/12/08/id/1237577/)
CAIR is a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group dedicated to enhancing the understanding of Islam, protecting civil liberties, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims within the existing framework of U.S. law and the Constitution. The Muslim Brotherhood, for its part, is a transnational Sunni Islamist movement that views Islam as a complete way of life, and advocates for governance under Sharia law. So what is the problem with these two groups?
According to its official materials and public statements, CAIR operates as a mainstream American civil rights organization with the following core principles:
- Upholding the U.S. Constitution
- Civil Rights Advocacy
- Civic Engagement
- Promoting Understanding
- Condemning Violence
However, in a 2007 terrorism financing trial involving the Holy Land Foundation, federal prosecutors named CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator. The FBI subsequently suspended formal ties with the group, though it was never charged with a crime.
As for the Muslim Brotherhood, it is an international organization with local branches that seeks to set up Islamic rule through elections and other peaceful means. While it claims to have renounced violence decades ago, it is tied, in some places, to violent political activity, and has been designated by many countries as a terrorist organization – though not by the federal government as of this writing. The U.S. branch has, though, produced documents explaining that their aim is to transform American society from within through institutional and cultural influence rather than violence. Critics of the Muslim Brotherhood argue this approach is designed to undermine American democracy from within by exploiting its freedoms. Brotherhood affiliated groups in Europe and the U.S. focus on community building, but face scrutiny for alleged hidden agendas. Their purported plan involves:
- Institutional Presence: Building a strong ecosystem of Islamic organizations
- Education and Media: Creating independent Islamic schools and developing media platforms
- Political Influence: Encouraging individuals to run for public office
- Cultural and Societal Integration: Integrating Islamic principles into American society
- Strategic Alliances: Forming tactical coalitions with other minority and progressive groups
In a place like America where freedom of religion and speech is so highly valued, it can be difficult to ban a religion for its beliefs. In America, people are pretty much free, based on the law of the land, to believe anything they want. And in fact, there are scores of religions that exist here (even some very weird ones) – and they have a perfect right to exist.
There is a line, however, that cannot be crossed. Once a group (any group, not just religious ones) starts acting outside the boundaries of the U.S. Constitution and American law, it is subject to sanction. While Islam, as a religion, does not necessarily cross that line, there are Islamic groups that do – and CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, at the very least, advocate for beliefs that cross it.
Because of the nature of Islamic beliefs, it can sometimes be rather difficult for Americans to deal with that religion. The values it promotes, on the surface, actually seem like good things. They include:
- Belief in One God as the Foundation of Morality
- Justice
- Compassion and Mercy
- Honesty and Truthfulness
- Purity and Modesty
- Respect for Parents and Family Loyalty
- Humility
- Responsibility and Accountability
- Charity and Social Responsibilit
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- Patience
- Moderation
- Protection of Life and Human Dignity
At the same time, the way they define and express those values based on Islamic teachings can actually be contrary to American norms. There are numerous examples of this. For instance, leaving Islam (apostasy) or speaking critically of Allah, the Prophet, or Islam (blasphemy), are considered sins, and in some places punishable by law.
The thing that often makes it difficult to make proper distinctions is that Muslim groups vary regarding the strictness of the implementation of their beliefs. Some advocate practicing their faith completely within the bounds of the laws of the land they live in. On the other extreme are those that use terrorist methods to force their beliefs on others – and there are all shades in between.
That said, the Qur’an and the Hadiths (the writings that guide their beliefs) are subject to interpretation. So what you end up with are different groups that all have the same basic beliefs, but with each expressing those beliefs in different ways. That makes it difficult to say bad things about Islam in general without carefully distinguishing between the peaceful and violent groups.
Of course, whether particular individuals are violent or peaceful, their faith does not represent the truth about God. Christians truly need to get up to speed on the beliefs of Islam in order to carry out the Great Commission that God has given to us in the Bible.
Freddy Davis is the president of MarketFaith Ministries. He is the author of numerous books entitled The Truth Mirage, Rules for Christians Radicals, Liberalism vs. Conservatism, and his latest book Shattering the Truth Mirage and has a background as an international missionary, pastor, radio host, worldview trainer, and entrepreneur. Freddy is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Communication, and holds MDiv and DMin degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a popular speaker, particularly on the topic of worldview and its practical implications for the Christian life. He lives in Tallahassee, FL, with his wife Deborah.
You may also contact Freddy at Leadership Speakers Bureau to schedule him for speaking or leadership engagements.
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