Muslim civil rights and advocacy group calls on Texas officials to condemn anti-Muslim hysteria stoked by Gov. Abbott and AG Paxton
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/13/2025) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today applauded the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) for carrying on with its normal activities, including its public food drive and daily prayers, amid today’s planned anti-Muslim hate rally near the house of worship in Plano, Texas.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR also commended local law enforcement authorities for working with EPIC to keep the community safe, called on Texas elected officials to condemn the planned anti-Muslim rally, and called on Texas officials like Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton to stop stoking anti-Muslim hysteria.
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“We applaud EPIC and members of the Plano Muslim community for the discipline and patience they have shown in advance of this hate rally. The fact that the mosque is carrying on with its weekend food drive for the general public as usual is a testament to this house of worship and the positive role it plays in supporting its neighbors of all faiths.
“We commend local law enforcement for working with the community to keep the community safe. We encourage all elected officials to condemn the anti-Muslim extremism that Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton and others have fomented.
“We urge all community members to follow the instructions of EPIC leadership and law enforcement authorities, ignore the provocations of these racist and bigoted losers and carry on with their worship and lives as usual.”
Last month, CAIR’s Michigan chapter welcomed the expressed remorse of an individual who planned a similar hate rally targeting the Muslim community in Dearborn.
Yesterday, CAIR welcomed a statement by Texas Securities Commissioner Travis Iles refuting a false claim made in connection with Attorney General Ken Paxton’s anti-Muslim lawsuit against the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC).
CAIR is asking community leaders to utilize its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
Earlier this year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report, Unconstitutional Crackdowns, which reveals that Islamophobia remains at record-high levels nationwide.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-DFW Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll, (832) 549-1042, mcarroll@cair.com; CAIR-Texas Austin Chapter Civic Engagement Organizer Sameeha Rizvi, 512-893-1371, srizvi@cair.com; Imran Ghani, Executive Director, CAIR-Houston, ighani@cair.com, 713-922-5270; John T. Floyd, CAIR National Board Member, CAIR-Texas Houston, 713-254-2016, jfloyd@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com