Texas Gov Abbott asks the Justice Department to investigate 'discriminatory' Islamic washing stations
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday he had referred "discriminatory" religious facilities at two of the state's major airports to the Justice Department over the installation of Islamic foot-washing stations in its bathrooms.
Last week, Abbott directed the state to conduct a review of grants to entities operating Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston for possible revocation and denial of future funding over plans to install Islamic wudu washing facilities.
He previously referred both airports to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for investigation and threatened state funding.
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"These ablution stations single out one subset of the population for special treatment based on religion," Abbott said in a statement. "They are not interfaith chapels open to all. They exist to benefit the Muslim population alone. Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others."
Abbott called on the Justice Department to review policies at both airports, noting both are subject to numerous conditions because they receive federal funding, including the requirement to comply with all laws prohibiting discrimination and protecting the rights of all Americans.
Fox News Digital has reached out to both airports.
In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, Abbott said the washing facilities at IAH are furnished with "copies of the Quran, prayer rugs, prayer beads and a turbah." He noted that both airports are owned by the government.
"Yet, these stations are designed to single out one subset of the population for special treatment based on religion," he wrote.
"It is clear that these government-owned airports have used — and continue to use — funds charged to the public to finance, maintain, advertise, and operate Muslim-only spaces on property that should be open and accessible to all citizens.
"Airports can no more offer Muslim-only bathroom spaces than they can maintain white-only bathrooms. Your office has the authority to investigate and put a stop to these discriminatory practices."
The matter drew increased public attention as DFW was evaluating a proposal to add ablution washing stations in Terminal D, its international terminal. Airport officials eventually decided not to move forward with the plan.
A projected filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation said the plan would have been privately funded with an estimated cost of $300,000, but an airport spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital that the figure was closer to $120,000.
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Despite DFW abandoning plans for a washing station, "it has since been discovered that two such stations are already in operation at the airport," Abbott said.
At IAH, the washing station was in response to requests from passengers, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. He noted that the Mickey Leland International Terminal serves around 365,000 passengers annually from Emirates Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways.
"The ablution room allows Muslim travelers, as well as other travelers whose religion requires ritual washing prior to prayer, to do so in this facility," Whitmire said. "The ablution room leads into a prayer room.
"Prior to the development of the dedicated washing station, travelers often used restroom sinks and other public water facilities for personal washing needs, highlighting the need for a more appropriate and designated space."
Whitmire said the ablution room also has interfaith chapels, like many airports, and is open to travelers of all faiths and beliefs.
"Therefore, their operations do not entail any discriminatory actions," he said.