The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is reporting that it, along with its Texas chapter, urged the Department of Justice to reject Texas Governor Greg Abbott's request to investigate Muslim prayer and washing facilities at Dallas-Fort Worth and George Bush Intercontinental Airports. CAIR said these facilities are open to all travelers regardless of faith and that Governor Abbott's comparison of them to segregation-era "white-only bathrooms" is offensive and inaccurate. It called on the DOJ to focus federal civil rights resources on genuine threats to religious liberty, including anti-Muslim violence and discriminatory actions. CAIR-Texas previously commended Houston Mayor John Whitmire for debunking Abbott's claims, confirming the facilities are open to all and funded by international-airline fees.
CAIR is also reporting that it called on U.S. universities to stop accepting funding from the Israeli military. Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR National Deputy Director, said universities should be transparent about their research funding and terminate unethical relationships with foreign militaries, especially those engaged in what he termed "ongoing genocide."
Separately, CAIR-Georgia and faith leaders denounced Israel's alleged violation of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Azka Mahmood, CAIR-Georgia Executive Director, stated that Israel denied entry to U.S. citizen faith leaders, including a retired Emory professor, which she said violates the program's requirement for non-discriminatory admission of American visitors.
In other news, CAIR reported a record 255 Muslims now hold elected office nationwide, according to the Washington Times. However, the organization also highlighted various instances of anti-Muslim rhetoric and threats. CAIR-Michigan noted that Abdul El-Sayed's electoral win triggered a wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric, as reported by FOX2 Detroit. CAIR-Texas addressed backlash against a county Republican party for an anti-Muslim question posed to a nominee, with its Government Affairs and Legislative Manager Sameeha Rizvi calling it an "appalling expression of anti-Muslim bigotry." CAIR Maryland called for a Baltimore County school board member to resign or apologize over an anti-Muslim "Sharia law" social media post, stating such rhetoric is troubling for Muslim children and families. CAIR-Michigan also reported receiving death threats at its Canton Township office. Additionally, CAIR-Alabama condemned Senator Tuberville's "dehumanizing" language regarding Sharia law, labeling him an anti-Muslim extremist.