Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott referred the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport to the Department of Justice, asking the agency to investigate what he described as discriminatory religious facilities.
Abbott’s letter calls on the DOJ to review ablution stations at the airports, arguing that the facilities provide preferential treatment based on religion.
“These ablution stations single out one subset of the population for special treatment based on religion,” said Abbott. “They are not interfaith chapels open to all. They exist to benefit the Muslim population alone. Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others.”
Earlier this month, reports circulated that DFW Airport was planning to install a $300,000 ablution station in both the men’s and women’s bathrooms in Terminal D.
Wudu, or ablution, is an Islamic ritual of purification performed before daily prayers. Wudu stations are specialized plumbing fixtures that feature low-level basins for washing the feet and seating that allows individuals to comfortably wash their hands, face, and arms.
Shortly after the project drew scrutiny, Abbott initiated an investigation into DFW Airport and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, saying the “ablution facilities appear designed to single out one subset of the population for special treatment based on religion.”
Now, Abbott is asking the DOJ to get involved, arguing that the airports are subject to federal laws prohibiting religious discrimination.
The letter sent to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon states that because the federal government exercises primary authority over security and access within airport terminals, the airports are required to comply with all laws prohibiting discrimination.
“To put it simply, it is clear that these government-owned airports have used—and continue to use—funds charged to the public to finance, maintain, advertise, and operate Muslim-only spaces on property that should be open and accessible to all citizens. Airports can no more offer Muslim-only bathroom spaces than they can maintain white-only bathrooms,” Abbott’s letter reads. “Your office has authority to investigate and put a stop to these discriminatory practices.”
Abbott is requesting that the DOJ review the facilities and take appropriate corrective action.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport became part of Abbott’s investigation because it already has an Islamic prayer complex in Terminal D.
The RAIR Foundation reported back in July 2025 that the space was “fully equipped with Islamic prayer-specific amenities, including Qurans, prayer rugs, prayer beads, and a turbah (a clay tablet used in prostration),” and characterized the complex as “a dedicated Islamic worship center embedded inside a major American airport.”
Abbott said he is separately investigating the airports for potential violations of state law. If the airports are found to be engaging in discriminatory practices, they could face the withdrawal of grant funding and other enforcement actions.
