Texas Governor Greg Abbott Launches Multi-Front Campaign Against Muslim Organizations

Abbott mobilized state power against four Muslim-linked initiatives. He ordered the Texas Workforce Commission to contest a fair-housing ruling that cleared the East Plano Islamic Center’s plan to build a 402-acre “EPIC City” on the Collin-Hunt county line. He warned Grand Prairie that hosting an Eid celebration at a city water park would forfeit $530,000 in public-safety grants, prompting the event’s cancellation. He secured a federal order requiring the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to turn over donor and travel records after labeling the group a foreign terrorist organization. He also directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to issue a cease-and-desist to Texas American Muslim University of Dallas (TexAM) for operating without state certification.

Newsweek

Abbott’s campaign coincides with a Republican narrative that portrays Islam as a security threat. Senator John Cornyn’s recent ad pledged to fight “radical Islam,” and Attorney General Ken Paxton accused Cornyn of enabling “radical Islamic Afghans” in Texas. The state is home to 313,000 Muslims, according to World Population Review. Texas Democratic Party has condemned Abbott’s actions as discriminatory, framing the issue as a flashpoint ahead of the 2024 primaries.

Newsweek

Early in the week Abbott ordered the state to challenge the EPIC City fair-housing ruling; Grand Prairie cancelled the Eid water-park event after his grant-threat letter; later a federal court compelled CAIR to produce records; by week’s end the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board issued a cease-and-desist to TexAM.

Newsweek

Abbott claimed the EPIC City project “will never see the light of day,” called the water-park event “religious discrimination” and “unconstitutional,” and warned that non-compliance triggers legal action. Press secretary Andrew Mahaleris said every Texan deserves equal treatment in public spaces and noted the grant hold on Grand Prairie was lifted pending compliance. CAIR denied any terrorist ties. The Texas Democratic Party labeled the governor’s tactics discriminatory toward Muslim communities.

Newsweek

Democratic leaders argue Abbott’s moves infringe on religious liberty and weaponize state authority for partisan advantage. CAIR’s denial of terrorist links underscores its dispute with the governor’s characterization. Observers warn that grant threats and regulatory actions could set a precedent for targeting faith-based groups.

Newsweek

• “Writing on X, Abbott claimed hosting a Muslim only event was "religious discrimination" and was "unconstitutional.” — Greg Abbott, X post

Newsweek

• “ "The City must cancel the event and commit to never allowing something like it again by May 11th, or lose $530,000 in state grants," he wrote.” — Greg Abbott, X post

Newsweek

• “The funding hold is now lifted, and the Governor expects full contract compliance moving forward.” — Andrew Mahaleris, Press Secretary

Newsweek

• “ "Texas will not allow illegal educational institutions to operate in our state," he wrote.” — Greg Abbott, X post

Newsweek