Texas terrorism label sidelines Muslim youth sports tournament
A school booking abruptly denied
A Muslim youth athletics event scheduled for May 9, 10 was denied permission to use a public high school facility in North Texas after state officials raised objections unrelated to the event itself.
The Islamic Games had planned to hold competitions at Colleyville Heritage High School, part of the Grapevine, Colleyville Independent School District. District officials later reversed course and canceled the rental.
According to reporting by the Fort Worth Star, Telegram, state lawmakers and local political leaders posted on social media alleging that event sponsors had connections to the Council on American Islamic Relations, prompting district leaders to withdraw approval.
School officials told the newspaper they believed Texas law prohibited them from entering into contracts involving CAIR after Gov. Greg Abbott designated the organization a foreign terrorist group.
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The broader political backdrop
The decision did not occur in isolation. Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have advanced several initiatives in recent years that critics say restrict Muslim participation in public life.
According to Baptist News Global, those efforts include opposition to EPIC City, a proposed mixed use development in North Texas backed by Muslim investors. State leaders have framed such projects as potential security concerns, despite a lack of criminal findings.
Abbott’s terrorism designation of CAIR is currently being challenged in court. Nevertheless, district officials told the Fort Worth Star, Telegram they were relying on state guidance while the matter remains unresolved.
Texas law also requires state employees and contractors, including those working at public universities, to sign a pledge stating they will not publicly oppose the state of Israel.
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Civil rights and equal access questions
Federal law generally requires public school districts to make facilities available to community groups without discrimination based on religion. That standard is commonly applied to churches, civic groups, and nonprofits.
Civil liberties advocates argue that the CAIR designation effectively creates an indirect barrier that disproportionately affects Muslim organizations. According to Baptist News Global, critics say the policy allows officials to sidestep federal equal access requirements without explicitly citing religion.
CAIR describes itself on its website as opposing “all forms of hateful bigotry, specifically including anti, Black racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, anti, Palestinian racism, and antisemitism.” The organization also states that it is “an independent American institution” with no ties to foreign governments or political movements.
Inside the Islamic Games
The Islamic Games began in 1989 in Queens, New York, and have since expanded into a rotating series of athletic events across the United States and Canada.
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According to information provided by the organization, competitions include soccer, basketball, volleyball, cricket, track and field, and archery. Organizers say last year’s events drew approximately 8,000 athletes representing 750 teams.
Islamic Games officials state that participation is open to individuals of any race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion.
Despite that record, local and state Republican officials publicly criticized the planned Colleyville event, alleging unspecified terrorist connections without presenting supporting evidence.
A precedent with national implications
Legal scholars and faith based advocates warn that the dispute could have consequences beyond a single tournament. According to Baptist News Global, observers say the case highlights how terrorism labels, even when legally contested, can influence access to public spaces and services.
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For Muslim families involved in the Islamic Games, the controversy has shifted focus away from athletics and toward unresolved questions about civil rights, religious liberty, and how far state power can reach into local decision making.
Sources: Baptist News Global, Fort Worth Star, Telegram
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