DFW airport drops plans for Islamic wash stations after political backlash

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has abandoned plans to install Islamic foot-washing stations in Terminal D after the proposal drew public controversy and criticism from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

The proposed project would have added separate ablution stations inside existing men’s and women’s restrooms in Terminal D. 

According to reports, the facilities are commonly used by Muslims to perform wudu, which is a ritual washing performed before prayer.

On Friday, Abbott said he had ordered a review of state grants involving DFW Airport and referred the airport to the U.S. Department of Transportation for investigation. He accused the airport of allowing what he described as religious discrimination at taxpayer-funded facilities.

Similar ablution facilities are available at other major U.S. airports, including Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Abbott also criticized the Houston airport.

DFW had been evaluating the project as an addition to existing restroom facilities, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The airport already has ablution facilities in its Terminal D interfaith chapel.

A DFW spokesperson said the airport routinely evaluates proposed projects based on operational benefits, customer service, risks and costs. However, he said the airport accelerated its review because of the heightened public attention surrounding the proposal.

“After that evaluation, the airport determined that the project would not provide the operational benefits originally anticipated,” Heath Montgomery said.

The airport has not indicated that it plans to remove or alter the existing ablution stations in the Terminal D interfaith chapel.