(Austin, Texas, 11/20/2025) – The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas) yesterday testified before the State Board of Education (SBOE) during the Committee of the Full Board’s discussion of what will remain in the social studies curricula in the wake of the new framework adopted last September that made World Geography, World Religions and Cultures non-required courses.

The changes reduced both the percentage and the scope of World History, narrowing it primarily to topics related to Western civilization, world history’s influence on America and Texas, and what the framework describes as the “noblest experiment of America and Texas.”

CAIR and Partners’ Recommendations to the SBOE

The coalition called on the SBOE to:

• Retain World Geography, World Cultures, and Religions as essential components of the TEKS.
• Restore comprehensive World History standards to prepare students for a globalized world.
• Uphold accuracy in representing Islam, global civilizations, and non-Western societies.
• Reject ideologically biased revisions that elevate one religious tradition while erasing others.
• Follow proper process by engaging trained social studies educators, historians, and curriculum experts.

CAIR-Texas staff delivered their testimonies calling for retaining and increasing World geography, cultures, and religions and suggested topics and historian figures that depict the American Muslim history and contribution. 

READ: The New Social Studies Framework

SEE: CAIR and CAIR-TX declare Civil Rights work in Texas ‘will continue undeterred’

Board member Julie Pickren, representing Pearland (District 7), posted on social media that she would not take CAIR-Texas’ recommendations into consideration and would not “cow tow” to the demands of what she labeled a “terrorist-linked organization,” denying CAIR staff their basic civic responsibility and discriminating against them based on their Muslim identity.

During the meeting, when Shaimaa Zayan, Operations Manager of the CAIR-Austin office, was called to testify, board member Brandon Hall (representing Aledo, District 11) attempted to silence her by invoking the Governor’s proclamation. When that attempt failed, he questioned whether the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was aware that CAIR leaders were present. 

What Mr. Hall did not know was that earlier that day, Ms. Zayan had proactively communicated with DPS officers in response to a potential threat involving a man wearing a Christian nationalist t-shirt and displaying military-related tattoos who entered the building and inquired about CAIR staff. DPS was fully aware of CAIR-Texas staff’s presence and was fulfilling its duty to protect them from extremists’ threats.

Watch: Brandon Hall Failed Attempt to Silence CAIR-TX Staff’s Testimonies 

Watch: CAIR-DFW ED, Mustafaa Carroll’s Testimony  

Mustafaa Carroll, the Executive Director of CAIR-DFW Office said in a statement:

“My testimony yesterday at SBOE was well received as I emphasized the need to ensure incorporating the contribution and struggles of American Muslims into public schools’ social studies curriculum, and that it is necessary for providing students a richer, more truthful, and more empowering education. Despite attempts by certain board members to silence us, we stood up for our students’ education and for free speech.”

Shaimaa Zayan, the Operations Manager of CAIR-Austin office said in a statement:

“As a former Texas-certified teacher and a civil right professional who regularly receives hate and harassment reports from the Muslim community, I shared examples of harassment and discrimination incidents that stem from ignorance, stereotypes, suspicion, and prejudice. I illustrated that all students need more exposure to world religions, cultures, and languages not only to enhance their tolerance of people who are different from them, but also to strengthen their confidence and sense of safety around others.

“Mr. Hall and Ms. Pickren could not tolerate hearing the lived experiences of their own constituents and chose to leave the room during my two-minute speech. Their withdrawal proved my point: it is difficult to confront a narrative that challenges one’s prejudices when one has not had sufficient opportunities to learn from diverse perspectives early in their education.”

After her testimony, Ms. Zayan received words of support from board members, other testifiers, media reporters, and even public members watching the session virtually. One supporter, who chose to remain anonymous, sent her an email saying that he was appalled and disgusted by SBOE member Brandon Hall’s attempt to silence her testimony; and added that he has walked these state government spaces before and knows how cold they can feel but they never should feel dehumanizing. 

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.

END 

CONTACT: Shaimaa Zayan, CAIR-Austin Operations Manager, (512) 785-7105, szayan@cair.com; Mustafaa Carroll, CAIR-DFW Executive Director, (832) 549-1042, mcarroll@cair.com; Sameeha Rizvi, CAIR-Austin Civic Engagement Organizer, srizvi@cair.com