There are growing fears of domestic terrorism inspired by Muslim groups active in the United Staes. Deciding whether an association should be labeled as a terrorist organisation is the domain of the federal government. The authorities in Washington, in reaching the determination that an organisation is a terrorist group, draw on the vast domestic antiterrorism intelligence infrastructure and globe-spanning intelligence services. Much of this was developed after the attacks of September 11, 2001 in which thousands of people were killed. Now some Republican governors are getting into the game. In recent months, the leaders of Texas and Florida have formally designated some groups as terrorist organisations. Both states have conferred the designation on the Council on American Islamic Relations, or CAIR, one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in the country.

CAIR is a 32-year-old non-profit organisation with headquarters in Washington and chapters in more than 20 states. It has long been targeted by conservative Christan groups. CAIR is challenging Florida and Texas in court, arguing that they violate its rights to free speech, assembly and due process. The stakes are high, particularly in the southeastern state of Florida where a new law makes it a felony to knowingly offer "material support" for a designated terrorist organisation, and allows the state to dissolve such groups in some situations. If the move survives the legal challenge, it is likely to force the permanent closure of CAIR's Tampa-based organisation which says it represents a Muslim community in Florda that numbers more........

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