Texas officials target Muslim religious practices as political threats

Elected officials in Texas are increasingly characterizing routine Muslim religious practices as political threats. Recent actions include investigations into a Muslim-friendly housing development near Dallas and a religious divorce counseling organization.

Governor Greg Abbott has designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a major Muslim civil rights group, as a foreign terrorist organization under state law. Additionally, Abbott has threatened to withhold state funding from Grand Prairie over a private Eid celebration and from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport regarding plans for ablution stations.

Legislative efforts are also underway, led by State Representative Alan Schoolcraft and the ‘Sharia Free Texas Caucus’. Schoolcraft has stated that the movement focuses on cultural assimilation rather than religion, suggesting that lawmakers may seek to redefine what qualifies as a religion to address what they describe as a parallel culture.