The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for an end to incitement against Islam and Muslims after a disturbing anti-Muslim hate incident at an H-E-B store in Conroe, Texas, on Friday, June 19 in which two visibly Muslim women were reportedly subjected to an unprovoked, hate-filled verbal assault.
Video of the incident captures a woman wearing medical scrubs repeatedly telling the victims they were “not welcome” in Texas, falsely claiming that “Islam is a terrorist organization, not a religion,” and demanding they “go back” to an “Islamic country.”
CAIR-Texas is calling on elected officials in Conroe, Montgomery County, and across the State of Texas – regardless of political affiliation – to publicly condemn this incident and reaffirm that anti-Muslim hate and religious intimidation have no place in Texas.
“This is exactly what happens when elected officials in Texas use hateful rhetoric to foment anti-Muslim bigotry,” said Imran Ghani, director of CAIR-Texas, Houston. “Muslims are facing daily verbal and physical attacks, and now it is time for every elected leader to speak clearly and unequivocally against that hatred. Silence only emboldens those who seek to normalize discrimination. We also call on H-E-B to clarify what actions its stores are taking to prevent this kind of religious discrimination and harassment of customers.”
In recent weeks, Muslims also faced harassment at the Texas GOP Convention because of their religious affiliation.
Last week, CAIR announced the filing of a lawsuit in federal court in Fort Worth on behalf of Shayma Alzubi, whom the Fort Worth Independent School District illegally removed from her principal position in May following an “anti-Muslim witch hunt.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
Last month, CAIR commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims and constitutional religious freedom during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law.” CAIR also condemned Republican members and witnesses for promoting anti-Muslim fearmongering and dangerous smear tactics amid rising anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide.
CAIR previously designated the so-called “Sharia-Free America Caucus” organizing the hearing as an anti-Muslim hate group after multiple caucus members publicly called for banning the practice of Islam, expelling Muslims from the United States, or targeting mainstream Muslim organizations and communities.
Community members who experience or witness discrimination, harassment, or bias targeting Muslims or other marginalized groups are encouraged to report incidents to CAIR at: https://www.cair.com/report/
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-Houston Director, Imran Ghani, ighani@cair.com, 713-922-5270; CAIR Texas Civic Engagement Organizer, Sameeha Rizvi, srizvi@cair.com, 512-893-1371; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@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