The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas) today responded to Governor Greg Abbott’s threat to terminate $530,000 in state grants to the City of Grand Prairie. The governor’s ultimatum forced the cancellation of “DFW Epic Eid,” a private community celebration at Epic Waters waterpark.
CAIR-Texas stands in full solidarity with the Texas State Representatives and Senators who, in a joint letter today, defended the constitutional protections against viewpoint discrimination and religious hostility.
SEE: JOINT LEGISLATIVE STATEMENT TO GOVERNOR ABBOTT
The Facts vs. The Narrative
- A Standard Process: The event was booked through the city’s standard private rental process. This is the same process used by churches, sports teams, and civic groups across Texas.
- A Sincere Correction: The organizers recognized the original flyer’s phrasing was ill-advised and corrected it immediately to ensure clarity. The Governor’s threat was issued after these corrections were made.
- A Lawful Gathering: No law enforcement agency or oversight body found any violation of Texas law. The event was a peaceful religious holiday gathering that complied with all local regulations.
In a statement, CAIR-Texas DFW Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll said:
“We acknowledge that the original language used for the DFW Epic Waters Eid event was poorly chosen, and the organizers moved swiftly to fix it. In a state that prides itself on faith and family values, we expect our leaders to act with the grace found in our shared traditions rather than with political retaliation.
“The Quran (42:40) elevates reconciliation over retaliation; the Bible (Matthew 18:22) teaches that mercy should be infinite; and the Torah (Isaiah 55:7) promises abundant pardon for those who seek to do right. It is deeply disappointing to see these universal values cast aside in favor of using a city’s financial stability as a lever against its own residents.
“By using the state’s checkbook to enforce a double standard, Governor Abbott’s ‘enforcement by ultimatum’ unfortunately mirrors the ‘Massive Resistance’ tactics used by segregationist leaders in the 1950s. Whether it was Virginia Governor Thomas Stanley, who signed laws to automatically cut off state funding to any district that didn’t follow his agenda, or Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, who redirected public funds to shut out Black children from accessing equal public schools, the use of state funding to isolate specific communities from public life is a chapter of history we should not be repeating. We should be building a Texas where everyone is welcome, not one where certain families are subject to a different set of rules.”
CAIR-Texas calls on the Governor to immediately retract his threat and support the fundamental truth of this nation: religious freedom for all.
CAIR-Texas’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-Texas 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: Mustafaa Carroll, CAIR-Texas DFW Executive Director, 469-998-2247, mcarroll@cair.com; Sameeha Rizvi, CAIR-Texas Civic Engagement Organizer, 512-893-1371, srizvi@cair.com