In Texas, a surge of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment has followed a contentious Republican primary runoff election. Local Muslims report growing hostility in daily life, from schools and universities to public spaces. Incidents include a man burning the Quran near praying students at the University of Houston and verbal harassment of women wearing traditional attire. Muslim delegates at the Texas GOP convention were told to convert to Christianity or leave the country, while a viral video showed two Muslim women being abused in a grocery store. The woman involved received significant online fundraising support, endorsed by Republican Congress member Nancy Mace.

At the Texas Republican Party convention, delegates added a “Don’t Shariah Our Texas” clause to their legal priorities, calling for criminalizing Shariah law. Experts note that no one is attempting to implement Shariah in Texas. Muslim leaders and activists, including Dr. Suleman Lalani and Nayla Syed, have voiced concern over the normalization of hate speech and the politicization of religion. They warn that such rhetoric fosters fear and division within communities.

The state’s education board also approved a new social studies draft that reduces lessons on slavery and civil rights, prompting further concern about marginalization of minority perspectives.