In Texas, ordinary Muslim religious practices are increasingly being treated as political threats
After 9/11, suspicion of Islam hardened into an assumption in Texas that Muslim identity itself signals danger, writes a scholar of constitutional law.
Texas politicians are increasingly viewing ordinary Muslim religious practices, such as prayer, dress, marriage counseling, and mosques, as potential political threats. This sentiment is reflected in statements from elected officials, who openly express their desire to eliminate Muslims entirely. For instance, Republican nominee Bo French declared, "I won't rest until every Muslim is gone" on social media in June 2026.
Elected officials have also investigated Muslim-friendly housing developments and religious divorce counseling organizations, with Governor Greg Abbott designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations as a foreign terrorist organization under Texas law. These actions have been driven by concerns over assimilation and the establishment of a parallel culture by Muslims, with some lawmakers seeking to redefine what constitutes a religion and arguing that Islam encompasses more than just a religious belief system.
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