First time in civil rights group’s 32-year history it has designated a congressional caucus an extremist organization
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the designation of the House of Representative’s so-called “Sharia-Free America Caucus” as an anti-Muslim hate group. This is the first time in CAIR’s 32-year history that the organization has designated a congressional caucus as an extremist organization.
In the designation published today, CAIR noted that the caucus is advancing legislation that, if enacted, would effectively render the practice of Islam illegal in the United States. CAIR also noted that the caucus’ most prominent member, Rep. Randy Fine, has expressed support for the destruction of all “mainstream Muslims” and recently compared Muslims unfavorably to dogs. The caucus has 40 members from 19 states, with Texas (10), Florida (6), Arizona (3), and Virginia (3) leading in representation.
SEE: House Sharia-Free America Caucus Anti-Muslim Extremist Designation
SEE ALSO: CAIR’s Educational Fact Sheet on “Sharia in American Life”
“Congressmen Randy Fine, Chip Roy, Keith Self, and other members of this so-called caucus have appointed themselves as religious police with the power to tell Americans how to worship,” said CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “These legislators have put cancel culture on steroids, applying it to an entire faith. The bigoted rhetoric used by this caucus resembles the hatred that anti-Catholic politicians once unleashed against Irish Americans.
Saylor added, “Islam is an American faith, present for over 250 years. No one who wrote the Constitution or enforced it since has empowered these legislators to pick which religions get to exist in America.”
In its designation, CAIR notes that Members dehumanize Muslims and paint Islam itself as a threat to the United States. These practices are often used to encourage public support for extreme policies. Caucus Member Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) has endorsed mass religious persecution by advocating the destruction of “mainstream Muslims.”
Other members call those who practice Islam “infiltrators” who are uncivilized, “barbaric,” “radical,” reject Western civilization, and bring “violent submission and oppression.” Members paint Islamic religious practices as an inherent and urgent threat to the existence of the United States or Western civilization.
CAIR’s analysis also notes the following:
“Legislation supported by Caucus members such as Rep. Chip Roy’s (R-TX) H.R.6225 – PAUSE Act of 2025 and H.R.5722 Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act and Rep. Randy Fine’s (R-FL) H.R.5512 No Shari’a Act would deny adherents of the world’s second-largest faith basic civil rights such as free speech, freedom of religion and equal protection under the law using their choice of faith as the disfavored characteristic. Non-citizens would be subjected to ideological purity tests and screened out if their prayer and charity options were guided by Islamic rules.
“If enacted, their extreme policies could have significant impacts on U.S. commercial interests, international adoptions, foreign marriages, business arbitration, and inheritance disputes where contracts may include considerations of the laws of Muslim majority nations.
“The anti-Muslim bias in their extreme policy proposals has implications for the domestic religious landscape. Adherents of any faith these legislators view with disfavor may find their traditions targeted as caucus members seek to impose government approval on which religions qualify as American.”
CAIR recently commended the bipartisan defense of religious liberty mounted during last week’s House Judiciary Subcommittee anti-Muslim hearing meant to hype the “sharia hoax” that anti-Muslim politicians have been pushing in recent months.
SEE: CAIR Commends Bipartisan Defense of Religious Freedom During Failed ‘Sharia Hoax’ Hearing
SEE ALSO: CAIR Letter to House Subcommittee Rebutting Sharia Hoax
SEE ALSO: Read CAIR’s Congressional Briefing Memo on Anti-Muslim Witnesses
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com