U.S. Airport Cancels Plan to Install Muslim Ablution Stations

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas has canceled a proposal to install special ablution stations for Muslim passengers at Terminal D. The decision came after the proposal sparked public debate, according to Fox News.

On Friday, DFW officials said they had been considering an internal proposal to install several ablution stations in the area before security screening at the international Terminal D. The facilities were intended to allow Muslim passengers to perform ablution, or wudu, before prayer.

However, after the proposal drew widespread public attention, the airport quickly reviewed the plan. Officials said the project would not provide the expected operational benefits and therefore would not move forward.

The project had previously been registered with the relevant Texas regulatory agency on July 31. Documents listed an estimated cost of about $300,000, with construction expected to be completed by the end of the year. DFW officials later said the figures appeared in the filing because of an error by the design firm.

The airport also clarified that the project had never received final approval. The $300,000 figure represented an initial maximum estimate, while the actual cost could have been around $120,000 if the project had been approved.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott had already raised objections to the proposal before it was canceled. On Friday, he ordered a review of government grants provided to DFW and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

Abbott said publicly owned airports should not give one religion special treatment over others. He also referred the matter to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration for further review of religious facilities and management practices at the two airports.

Abbott argued that providing ablution facilities specifically for Muslims could amount to giving preferential treatment to a particular religious group.

DFW officials, however, said airport projects are evaluated based on passenger services, operational needs, risks and costs. The airport also said it does not use taxpayer money for its operations and instead relies on revenue from parking, retail stores and other commercial activities.

Meanwhile, Abbott’s office said George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston already has an ablution facility along with a prayer room nearby.