The Texas State Board of Education recently approved a social studies curriculum that disparages Islam and minimizes Black history. Muslims and education experts who attended the board’s Aug. 31 meeting urged its members to reconsider adopting the changes, saying they…
Republican-fueled Islamophobia cited as cause of more attacks
Numerous recent attacks and threats of violence against Muslims have been inspired in part by Islamophobic statements from Republican politicians, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The civil rights group on July 14 urged “elected officials and other public…
Florida’s ‘anti-Sharia’ laws called threat to religious freedom for all
Two new Florida laws Gov. Ron DeSantis described as “anti-Sharia” measures are really about limiting free speech and denying due process, a group of interfaith leaders said. “Our Florida government is lying,” said Hiba Rahim, interim executive director of the…
Faced with a lawsuit, Texas admits Muslim schools to voucher program
Texas has approved at least four Islamic schools to enroll in the state’s $1 billion private school voucher program just days after a federal judge ordered an extension of the application deadline. Before the restraining order was issued, not a…
Judge orders Texas to extend deadline for school vouchers
A federal judge ordered Texas to extend its application deadline for private school vouchers in response to lawsuits filed by Muslims parents and schools excluded from the program. Four parents and three private Islamic schools involved in the litigation said…
Muslim inmates awarded damages from Missouri prison abuse
Eight Muslim inmates pepper sprayed while praying in a Missouri prison have been awarded $667,000 in damages by a federal jury. The judgment stems from a 2023 lawsuit that accused correctional officers of assaulting the men as they prayed together…
Judge blocks DeSantis order against Muslim organizations
A federal judge has blocked enforcement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order that designates two Muslim groups as terrorist organizations. Last December, DeSantis followed the lead of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the…
Republican fears about Sharia law called a ‘hoax’
Proclaiming the dangers of Sharia law has become all the rage among Republicans over the past few months, while opponents denounce the movement as an effort to stoke fear of Muslims among conservative voters heading into the 2026 election. Republican…
Loomer ordered to finish paying CAIR damages
Trump influencer Laura Loomer has been ordered by a federal court to complete payment of a 2022 judgment against her to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The payments were mandated by a settlement reached after her 2022 lawsuit falsely alleging…
In Texas, a terrorism designation derails a youth sports league
Because Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated the Council on American Islamic Relations as a foreign terrorism organization, a Muslim youth sports league has been denied use of a public school facility. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, which lies in the heart…
Muslim group sues DeSantis over his executive order
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the U.S. and state constitutions with an executive order labeling the Council on American-Islamic Relations a terrorist organization, the Muslim civil rights group says in a new federal lawsuit. The litigation claims DeSantis’ Dec. 8…
DeSantis follows Abbott’s lead in labeling Muslim groups terrorists
Following Texas’ lead, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.” “Florida agencies are hereby directed to undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations, including…