Texas district drops Islamic Games, drawing scrutiny over treatment of Muslims

A North Texas school district abruptly ended negotiations to host the Islamic Games this spring after officials raised concerns over alleged ties between the youth sports event and a Muslim civil rights organization that Texas political leaders have labeled “terroristic,” intensifying criticism that Muslim communities are being unfairly targeted.

Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District officials confirmed that they “severed negotiations” with the organizers of the Islamic Games, a two-day athletic tournament that brings together children and adults for basketball, soccer, pickleball and other competitions on public school campuses.

District leaders said the decision followed information that the Council on American-Islamic Relations, known as CAIR, was listed as an event sponsor — an assertion Islamic Games organizers strongly dispute.

The dispute traces back to a 2025 proclamation by Gov. Greg Abbott designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations” under state law, a move critics say lacks grounding in federal terrorism classifications and contributes to rising anti-Muslim sentiment.

Youth sports event caught in political crossfire

Islamic Games officials insist the event has no sponsorship or formal partnership with CAIR and stress that the tournament is open to participants of all faiths. 

The games have previously been held at Colleyville Heritage High School without incident.

“We are deeply concerned that a sporting event for children is being targeted,” said Salaudeen Nausrudeen, president of the Islamic Games. “It is our hope that better minds prevail.”

Mustafaa Carroll, interim executive director of CAIR’s Dallas-Fort Worth chapter, said the episode reflects a broader pattern of politicization that places Muslim families under scrutiny.

“Those kids that are trying to just play ball together haven’t done anything to contribute to Islamophobia,” Carroll said. “All they’re doing is living.”

The district’s decision followed public pressure from local political leaders. Keller Mayor Armin Mizani, a Republican candidate for state office, issued a statement urging the school board to act. 

“In Texas, we do not wear rose-colored glasses when it comes to those who have been designated as a terrorist organization by the state or its governor,” Mizani said.

Islamophobia concerns grow amid national tensions

The cancellation comes amid heightened national debate over Muslim civil rights, religious freedom and political rhetoric that civil liberties advocates say is fueling suspicion and hostility toward Muslim Americans.

Anti-Muslim bias incidents and hate crimes rose sharply in 2024, according to advocacy organizations, a surge that community leaders say has left Muslim families increasingly wary of public spaces, including schools and youth programs.

Recent incidents involving anti-Muslim vandalism and threats at schools and community centers across the U.S. have further amplified concerns that political language linking Islam to extremism is emboldening discrimination.

Civil liberties advocates warn that labeling mainstream Muslim organizations as terrorist entities without federal backing risks normalizing prejudice and eroding First Amendment protections related to free speech and religious expression.