Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has decided not to proceed with a controversial proposal to install Islamic ablution washing stations in Terminal D, following public attention and a directive from Texas Governor Greg Abbott to review state grants to entities operating the airport. Abbott announced Friday that the state would examine grants to both DFW and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) for potential revocation and denial of future funding, citing the planned facilities as illegal.
"Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others. DFW plans to install Islamic wudu washing facilities are illegal," Abbott stated on X. "Texas will not allow illegal religious discrimination at taxpayer-funded facilities."
DFW confirmed it had been evaluating a proposal for ablution washing stations on the pre-security side of its international terminal. However, the airport stated that an accelerated review, prompted by increased public interest, determined the project "would not deliver the originally anticipated operational benefits."
The project was initially registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on July 31. Early filings indicated the project was privately funded with an estimated cost of $300,000 and a completion date by year's end. A DFW spokesperson clarified that these details resulted from administrative errors by the airport's outside design firm and that the project had not received final approval. The estimated cost, if approved, was closer to $120,000, and airport funds, rather than private contributions, would have been used for the work. The airport also stated it does not use taxpayer dollars for operations, relying instead on revenue from parking and concessions.
Governor Abbott also referred both DFW and IAH to the U.S. Department of Transportation for investigation. In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Abbott argued that the ablution facilities "appear designed to single out one subset of the population for special treatment based on religion," which he stated is prohibited by federal and state constitutions. Abbott's office noted that recipients of state grants must certify compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
According to Abbott's office, George Bush Intercontinental Airport already features an ablution facility and an adjoining prayer room. Similar low-level basins and interfaith spaces have been noted at other major U.S. airports, including Chicago O'Hare.