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Greg Abbott Requests Department of Justice Investigation into Religious Washing Stations at Texas Airports

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has requested that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate the religious ablution stations located at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Abbott argues that these government-owned facilities, which are used primarily by the Muslim population for ritual purification, constitute a form of religious discrimination by favoring one faith over others. He compared the existence of these stations to 'white-only bathrooms' in American history. In response, DFW Airport CEO Chris McLaughlin defended the facilities, stating that the stations are open to all travelers and do not violate antidiscrimination laws. McLaughlin noted that the airport previously planned to add more stations to prevent travelers from using bathroom sinks for foot-washing, but scrapped the plans following Abbott's initial threat to pull state funding. Houston Mayor John Whitmire also supported the facilities, noting they were paid for by airline fees rather than taxpayer money. The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations characterized Abbott's critique as a 'manufactured controversy' and an 'anti-Muslim political stunt.'

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