Mayor says IAH ablution and prayer facilities are open to all travelers and funded by international-airline fees

The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas) today commended Houston Mayor John Whitmire for rejecting Governor Greg Abbott’s false claim that ablution and prayer facilities at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) unlawfully discriminate against non-Muslims.

Whitmire stated that IAH’s ablution room and adjoining prayer room are open to all travelers, employees, and stakeholders, regardless of faith. He also noted that the facilities were funded by fees charged to international airlines, not by city, state, or federal taxpayer funds.

[NOTE: Wudu is an Islamic ritual of physical and spiritual purification that involves washing hands, face, arms, and feet before prayer.]

In a statement, CAIR-Texas said:

“We commend Mayor Whitmire for debunking Governor Abbott’s latest anti-Muslim political stunt. The ablution room and adjoining prayer room at IAH are open to everyone. No one receives special treatment, and no one is excluded.

“At a major international airport serving travelers from around the world, such facilities meet a practical need and help ensure that travelers are not forced to use public restroom sinks for religious washing.

“Instead of wasting taxpayer resources trying to manufacture controversy over a lawful and inclusive airport amenity, Governor Abbott should focus on the real problems facing Texans.”

IAH has offered an ablution room and adjoining prayer facilities since 2024. The facilities were established to serve travelers using the airport’s international terminal, including passengers traveling on airlines serving Muslim-majority countries.

Governor Abbott recently called for reviews of funding connected to IAH and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to investigate the facilities. DFW subsequently abandoned plans to add additional ablution stations.

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-Houston Director, Imran Ghani, ighani@cair.com, 713-922-5270; CAIR Texas Government Affairs and Legislative Manager, Sameeha Rizvi, srizvi@cair.com, 512-893-1371; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com