Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has withdrawn a proposal for Islamic ablution washing stations following public attention and action from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott directed a review of state grants to DFW and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, citing concerns over religious accommodations.
In a statement Friday, Abbott announced that the state would examine grants awarded to entities operating both major Texas airports, with a view to potential revocation and denial of future funding. He also referred both airports to the U.S. Department of Transportation for investigation.
"Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others," Abbott stated on X, formerly Twitter. "DFW plans to install Islamic wudu washing facilities are illegal. I’ve directed a review of all state grants to both airports for possible revocation, and referred DFW & IAH to USDOT for investigation. Texas will not allow illegal religious discrimination at taxpayer-funded facilities."
DFW Airport confirmed it had been evaluating a proposal to install washing stations on the pre-security side of its international terminal, Terminal D. However, the airport stated it accelerated its review in response to increased public interest and determined not to proceed with the project, as it would not deliver the anticipated operational benefits.
"Like all proposed projects, the airport ultimately considers the operational benefits, customer service impacts, operational risks and costs before approving them," a DFW spokesperson said. The airport also noted that administrative errors by its outside design firm led to initial project filings incorrectly listing it as privately funded with an estimated cost of $300,000, with completion by year-end. DFW clarified that the estimated cost would have been closer to $120,000 and that airport funds, not taxpayer dollars, would have been used, as is customary for all its projects.
Abbott's office stated that George Bush Intercontinental Airport already has an ablution station and an adjoining prayer room. In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Abbott requested that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration investigate religious facilities and accommodations at both airports.
"These ablution facilities appear designed to single out one subset of the population for special treatment based on religion. That is illegal," Abbott wrote. "Both airports are government-owned facilities. The federal and state constitutions prohibit government from facilitating this sort of discrimination. Just as the government cannot favor the secular over the sacred, it also cannot favor one religious view over all others."
The project was registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on July 31. Similar facilities exist at other major U.S. airports, including Chicago O'Hare.