On October 19, 2026, a coalition of 33 leaders from patriotic organizations sent an open letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The letter demands investigations into mosques allegedly connected to the Muslim Brotherhood and other sharia supremacist networks. It also calls for temporary moratoriums on the approval and construction of new mosques in both states.
Background on Designations and Legal Challenges
The letter praises the governors for their prior actions against the Muslim Brotherhood and its U.S. affiliate, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Governor Abbott designated both groups as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations in November 2025, restricting their ability to acquire property. Governor DeSantis followed in December 2025 with an executive order directing state agencies to deny benefits or resources to anyone providing material support to these groups.
CAIR has responded by filing federal lawsuits seeking temporary injunctions against these designations. The coalition insists that these designations be fully enforced and that activities associated with these groups cease within Texas and Florida.
Claims of a “Critical Infrastructure of Jihad”
The letter describes a so-called “critical infrastructure of jihad” consisting of Islamic societies or centers, which in practice function as mosques. Estimates place the number of such facilities in the U.S. at a minimum of 3,150, with CAIR’s co-founder Nihad Awad suggesting the figure could be as high as 4,000.
The coalition asserts that new mosques continue to be approved and constructed monthly, particularly in Texas and Florida. They argue this is part of a “stealthy civilization jihad” campaign, a term taken from a 1991 Muslim Brotherhood document known as the “Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Objective of the Group in North America.” This memorandum, which was admitted as evidence in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing trial, outlines a strategy to undermine Western civilization from within.
The Role of Mosques in Brotherhood Strategy
The memorandum emphasizes the importance of Islamic centers in advancing the Brotherhood’s objectives. It compares these centers to mosques during the Prophet Muhammad’s era, suggesting they serve as hubs for settlement and dawah (proselytizing). The coalition interprets this to mean that mosques under Brotherhood control are used for planning and training related to jihad.
Further, the letter cites increasing public statements by imams and leaders affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and sharia supremacist groups, which the coalition views as evidence of seditious intent.
Calls for Urgent Investigations and Moratoriums
The coalition questions whether public safety and national security might be at risk due to the activities of some or all mosques in the U.S. They urge the governors to conduct thorough threat assessments of Islamic communities, centers, and mosques in their states.
While these investigations are underway, the coalition recommends imposing moratoriums on the approval and construction of new mosques. They argue that federal constitutional and statutory provisions allow for such moratoriums, especially given the strong state interests involved.
Notable Signatories and Organizational Support
The letter includes signatures from a range of conservative and national security-focused figures. Among them are Representative Keith Self (R-TX), retired Lieutenant General William “Jerry” Boykin of the Family Research Council, Ayaan Hirsi Ali of the AHA Foundation, Frank Gaffney of the Institute for the American Future, Anne Schlafly of the Eagle Forum, and Kimberly Fletcher of Moms for America. The coalition also includes leaders from the Texas Eagle Forum, Grassroots America (We the People PAC), the American Family Association, and other constitutional and security organizations.
Governors’ Role in Enforcement
The letter reminds the governors that their prior designations of the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR give them both the authority and responsibility to assess the mosques in question. It urges them to prevent any further expansion of these facilities during the assessment period. No specific timeline for the investigations is proposed, leaving the duration open to the time necessary to complete thorough threat evaluations.
Conclusion: Balancing Security and Rights
This coalition’s letter reflects ongoing tensions in Texas and Florida regarding the presence and expansion of mosques linked to controversial organizations. The call for moratoriums and investigations highlights concerns about national security and public safety, while also raising questions about religious freedom and constitutional protections. How Governors Abbott and DeSantis respond could set important precedents for state-level approaches to similar issues nationwide.
Source: Read the original reporting.
