Texas Governor Probes Airport Grants After DFW Drops Islamic Wash Stations
On Friday, August 14, 2026, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport said it would not move forward with a proposal to install Islamic ablution (wudu) wash stations on the pre-security side of Terminal D.[1]
Gov. Greg Abbott the same day directed a review of state grants to the entities that operate DFW and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and said he would consider revoking or denying future funds.[1] Abbott also referred both airports to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration for investigation, saying the proposed wudu facilities would illegally favor one religion.[1]
The project was registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on July 31, 2026, and was listed with an initial $300,000 cost and a "privately funded" designation. DFW said the "privately funded" label and the $300,000 figure were errors by its design firm. The airport said the actual cost would have been closer to $120,000 and that airport-generated revenue, not taxpayer appropriations, would have paid for the work.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, August 14, 2026, DFW Airport said it would not move forward with a proposal to install Islamic ablution washing stations on the pre-security side of Terminal D.
- The same day, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a review of state grants to entities operating DFW and George Bush Intercontinental Airport for possible revocation and denial of future funding.
- Abbott referred both airports to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration for investigation, saying the proposed wudu facilities at DFW would illegally favor one religion.
- The project was registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on July 31, 2026, with an initial $300,000 cost and a "privately funded" designation that DFW later described as errors by its design firm.
- DFW stated the actual cost, if approved, would have been closer to $120,000 and that airport-generated revenue, not taxpayer appropriations, would have paid for the work.
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