Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has scrapped a proposal to install Islamic ablution washing stations in Terminal D after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for a review of the project and state funding to the airport.
The airport announced Friday that it would not move forward with the proposed facilities, which were intended to accommodate the Islamic practice of wudu, a ritual washing performed before prayer.
The decision came after Abbott directed state officials to review grants awarded to the entities operating DFW and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. He also referred both airports to the U.S. Department of Transportation for investigation over their religious accommodations, according to Fox News.
“Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others,” Abbott wrote on Twitter. “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 will not allow illegal religious discrimination at taxpayer-funded facilities.”
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
DFW said it had been considering an internal proposal to add ablution stations on the pre-security side of Terminal D, its international terminal. Airport officials said the project had not received final approval.
“Like all proposed projects, the airport ultimately considers the operational benefits, customer service impacts, operational risks and costs before approving them,” the airport stated. “While that evaluation was planned, the airport accelerated its review due to elevated public interest this week and has determined not to proceed with the project as it would not deliver the originally anticipated operational benefits.”
The project was registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on July 31 with an estimated price of $300,000 and a completion date by the end of the year. The filing described the project as privately funded.
DFW later said both details were the result of administrative errors by an outside design firm. Airport officials said the actual cost would likely have been closer to $120,000 and that airport funds, rather than private money, would have paid for the project.
“While the estimate noted was $300,000, that was a preliminary high estimate, and we expect the project, if it were approved to proceed, would cost closer to $120,000,” a DFW spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital.
The Dallas airport is now installing dedicated Islamic “Wudu” foot-washing stations inside bathrooms. pic.twitter.com/2t5TLtcpBj
— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) August 12, 2026
DFW said it does not rely on taxpayer dollars for its operations, instead generating revenue through parking, concessions and other airport activities.
Abbott’s office also raised concerns about George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which already has an ablution station and adjoining prayer room. In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Abbott asked the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration to review religious facilities and accommodations at both airports.
“These ablution facilities appear designed to single out one subset of the population for special treatment based on religion. That is illegal,” Abbott said. “Both airports are government-owned facilities. The federal and state constitutions prohibit government from facilitating this sort of discrimination. Just as the government cannot favor the secular over the sacred, it also cannot favor one religious view over all others.”
The governor’s office said recipients of state grants are required to certify compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
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