Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, DFW, has halted plans to install additional dedicated ablution stations for Muslim travelers. The decision comes shortly after Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened to withdraw state funding and requested a federal review of the airports’ religious facilities.

The stations would have enabled Muslim travelers to perform the ritual washing, wudu, before prayer ahead of passing through security control. The announcement came on August 14, soon after Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott announced that the state’s funding for DFW and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston would be reviewed.

Abbott referred to what he described as potential religious discrimination. At the same time, he called on the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to review the religious facilities at both airports.

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“These washing facilities appear to be designed to provide a segment of the population with special treatment based on religion. That is illegal,” Abbott said at the time of the announcement, arguing that publicly-owned airports may not favor one religion over others.

DFW stated at the same time that the decision to halt the project was made after an internal review. The airport says the review was expedited due to significant public interest and concluded that the project would not provide the operational benefits originally anticipated.

Already in Place for Several Years

The plans involved two stations, one in the men’s and one in the women’s restroom on the Terminal D side before security. However, DFW has had two similar stations past security since 2019, adjacent to the airport’s interfaith chapel.

Wudu involves, among other things, washing one’s hands, face, and feet before Muslim prayer. Special ablution stations are therefore intended to make the ritual easier while also reducing problems that can arise when travelers wash their feet in regular sinks. DFW has previously pointed out that similar facilities exist at several large international airports in the U.S.

Another part of the controversy has revolved around the project’s cost and financing. Early reports in a permit document mentioned a cost of about $300,000 and private funding. DFW has since stated that this information was incorrect. The actual estimate was around $115,000–$120,000 and the project would have been funded by the airport’s own revenues from parking, restaurants, and landing fees, not by taxpayer money.

Abbott’s review also includes Houston’s airport, which since 2024 has had a room for ablution. There, the space is described as available to people of all faiths. DFW’s existing stations, in turn, have been in place since 2019.

Political Conflict

It remains unclear whether DFW’s decision to halt the new project means the airport will be exempt from the review requested by Abbott.

The issue has also become part of a broader political conflict in Texas regarding Muslim organizations and religious arrangements. During the year, Abbott has on several occasions threatened to withdraw public funding in connection with activities linked to Muslim groups.

Critics argue that the governor is using funding as a political pressure tactic, while Abbott claims his actions are about ensuring religious neutrality in publicly-owned operations.

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