An Islamic advocacy group is suing Fort Worth Independent School District over its decision to reassign the incoming principal of Western Hills High School after controversial social media posts resurfaced.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), announced last week that it filed a lawsuit on behalf of Shayma Alzubi, who had been selected as the next principal for Western Hills High School. Alzubi was reassigned following public backlash over past social media posts.
After Alzubi’s appointment was announced, screenshots began circulating online showing posts in which she defended Sharia law, comparing the Islamic legal framework to other religious frameworks, including biblical principles.
Other posts included support for mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and a statement that “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.”
Following the controversy, Fort Worth ISD announced that Alzubi would be reassigned to another position within the district pending the outcome of an investigation.
Weeks later, CAIR filed a lawsuit alleging that the district violated Alzubi’s First Amendment rights.
CAIR claims that the district unlawfully removed Alzubi from the position following what CAIR described as an “anti-Muslim witch hunt.” The organization is seeking her reinstatement as principal.
“This is the clearest violation of the First Amendment our organization has seen all year,” said CAIR attorney Gadeir Abbas. “We call on the school district to realize the unlawful path it’s walking down, change course, and return our client to her school.”
CAIR-DFW Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll also spoke about the case stating that CAIR is ready to defend Alzubi.
“If district officials can do this to Shayma, then they can do this to anyone,” said Carroll. “We stand ready to defend Shayma’s rights and fight for her return to school.”
CAIR’s lawsuit comes months after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood to be foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations in November 2025. According to Abbott’s order the designation “authorizes heightened enforcement against both organizations and their affiliates and prohibits them from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas.”
