The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on law enforcement authorities to investigate the alleged assault and harassment of Muslim youth while they were praying outdoors as a possible hate crime.

CAIR-Texas also commended the targeted young people for their patience and courage during the incident.

Video posted online shows a man verbally abusing the praying young people using anti-Muslim slurs, mocking their act of worship, invading their personal space and putting his hand over several of their heads. The alleged harasser also told the Muslim worshipers that they “need Jesus” while circling them and shouting insults. Despite the intimidation and harassment, the Muslim youth continued their prayers peacefully.

In a statement, CAIR-DFW Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll said:

“This disturbing incident is a clear example of anti-Muslim hate and religious intimidation. No young person should be harassed, mocked or targeted with bigotry simply for practicing their faith.

“We urge law enforcement authorities to investigate this as a possible assault and hate crime and ensure the alleged perpetrator is held accountable for any violations state laws or federal civil rights laws. We also call on state and national political leaders and officials to stop spreading anti-Muslim misinformation, which inevitably leads to such bias-motivated acts.

“These young people should also be congratulated for maintaining their composure during this shameful harassment.”

Carroll said CAIR-Texas is urging community members who experience or witness anti-Muslim harassment to report incidents to law enforcement and to contact CAIR for legal assistance.

REPORT AN INCIDENT.

Earlier this month, CAIR-Houston called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a reported hate incident targeting Muslim students at the University of Houston (UH) during prayer as a possible hate crime and commended the university for its response.

Last month, CAIR-Texas condemned an “un-American and unconstitutional” bill filed by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) that would ban Muslim immigrants from America and deport any Muslim immigrants already present under the guise of targeting any immigrant “who adheres to Sharia law.”

Also last month, CAIR-Texas called on state leaders to repudiate a violent anti-Muslim social media post shared by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller that depicts “Islam” as a snake squeezing a cowboy’s leg, with a knife labeled “solution” being used to kill it.

In September, CAIR-Texas expressed concerned about an incident in McKinney, Texas, in which a man reportedly entered the Sufaraa Center without permission, began questioning people and reportedly stated, “There should be no mosques in the USA.”

CAIR-Texas also condemned Governor Abbott’s inflammatory social media post falsely claiming that he had signed laws banning “Sharia law” and “Sharia compounds” in Texas.

In August, CAIR released an analysis of the fearmongering led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and anti-Muslim campaigner Amy Mek around a Muslim-led development project, EPIC City. The analysis places the attack in the context of both a continuing tradition of Texas political figures engaging in anti-Muslim actions and a broader national pattern of fearmongering around Muslim-led development projects. 

SEE: EPIC Hate in Texas

Earlier this year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report, Unconstitutional Crackdowns, which reveals that Islamophobia remains at record-high levels nationwide. 

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.       

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.            

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CONTACT: CAIR-DFW Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll, (832) 549-1042, mcarroll@cair.com; CAIR-Texas Austin Chapter Civic Engagement Organizer Sameeha Rizvi, 512-893-1371, srizvi@cair.com; Imran Ghani, Executive Director, CAIR-Houston, ighani@cair.com, 713-922-5270; John T. Floyd, CAIR National Board Member, CAIR-Texas Houston, 713-254-2016, jfloyd@cair.com