Dallas Fort Worth International Airport scrapped proposed Islamic foot-washing stations in Terminal D after elevated public attention accelerated its review, while Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) directed state and federal scrutiny of religious accommodations at DFW and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
“The airport accelerated its review due to elevated public interest this week and has determined not to proceed with the project,” DFW said in a statement reported Friday by Fox News.
The proposal would have added one ablution station inside an existing men’s restroom and another inside an existing women’s restroom on the pre-security side of Terminal D. DFW said the project would not deliver the operational benefits the airport originally anticipated.
Abbott puts airport grants under review
The state will review grants awarded to entities operating DFW and George Bush Intercontinental Airport for possible revocation of active awards and denial of future grants, Abbott’s office announced Friday. Abbott also referred both airports to the U.S. Department of Transportation for investigation and enforcement.
“Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others,” Abbott wrote on X. “DFW plans to install Islamic wudu washing facilities are illegal.”
Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others.
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… pic.twitter.com/XY58WAKJ8N
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 14, 2026
Abbott argued that the facilities improperly singled out one religious group for special treatment.
His letter to DFW CEO Christopher McLaughlin said organizations found to violate the law through the development, provision or continued operation of what Abbott called exclusionary religious spaces would face withdrawal of grant funding and other enforcement actions.
A separate letter asked U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to direct an immediate federal review and corrective action. Abbott’s office said George Bush Intercontinental Airport already operates an ablution facility connected to a prayer room.
Proposal shifted before cancellation
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the state filing initially listed the Terminal D project at approximately $300,000 and described it as privately funded.
On Friday, DX found that the same project number, TABS2026026706, had changed to $115,000 and a classification covering public funds, public land or federally funded roadways. The filing also said private funds were not being provided by the tenant.
DFW later attributed the entries to administrative errors by an outside design firm. The airport said $300,000 was a preliminary high estimate, the expected cost was closer to $120,000 and airport funds would have paid for the work if it received approval. DFW said it does not use taxpayer dollars for airport operations and relies on revenue streams such as parking and concessions.
As of early Saturday, the live TDLR record still listed the $115,000 project as “Project Registered.” The state page had not been updated to reflect DFW’s cancellation announcement.
Existing Terminal D stations not addressed
The canceled proposal involved two new restroom stations. DFW announced in 2019 that two ablution stations already existed beside the Terminal D Interfaith Chapel near Gate D40.
DFW’s cancellation statement did not say the existing stations would be removed. The airport also did not answer previous questions from DX about whether those stations remain operational or how frequently travelers use them.
Neither DFW’s statement nor Abbott’s announcement said the cancellation would end the state grant review or the federal referral.
Provided by Dallas Express
