Gov. Greg Abbott called on the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD outside Houston to halt plans for the “Islamic Games,” which had listed a designated terror group as a sponsor.
Abbott wrote Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Board Chair Julie Hinaman and Supt. Douglas Killian, on January 21. In the letter, Abbott demanded that they terminate any negotiations or agreements for the Islamic Games. The event was scheduled for October 10 to 11 at Bridgeland High School in Cypress, but organizers later changed the location to “TBD.”
“Texans deserve immediate action to curb the spread of Islamic extremism, and public facilities funded by their tax dollars will not be utilized to host terrorist related groups,” Abbott wrote in the letter.
The Islamic Games had listed the Council on American Islamic Relations-New Jersey among its sponsors, as The Dallas Express reported. Abbott labeled CAIR a foreign terrorist organization in 2025, citing its ties to Hamas.
Following public scrutiny, the Islamic Games denied that CAIR-NJ was a sponsor and removed CAIR from its website, claiming the listing was in error.
“I direct Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District to immediately preserve all records and communications concerning this event,” Abbott wrote. “You must confirm with my office within seven days of receiving this letter that any negotiations or agreements for this event have been terminated.”
If the district fails to comply, Abbott said he would send the Texas Education Agency to “seize and uncover” any district communications about CAIR, any attempts to conceal the group’s involvement, and any agreements or financial statements about the event.
The TEA would then refer its findings to Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to the letter. He would then pursue legal action, an investigation, and injunctions against public school events sponsored by CAIR.
Abbott warned the district of his terror designation for CAIR, citing federal findings that the group acted as a “front” for Hamas. He also pointed to his terror designation for the Muslim Brotherhood – a worldwide Islamic movement tied to multiple terror groups.
When Hamas launched an ambush on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023 – killing more than 1,200 people – CAIR-NJ praised the terror attack, as Abbott pointed out.
“This is not a war. It is an occupation,” CAIR-NJ posted on X that day. “End the occupation. Free Palestine.”
Two days later, the group said Gazans “effectively broke out of prison” the day of the attack.
“This type of division, disruption, and support for terrorism is exactly why I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch investigations into the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, and any of their affiliated entities operating in the State,” Abbott wrote in the letter.
The Islamic Games were also scheduled for May 9 to 10 at Colleyville Heritage High School, with organizers planning to take over the school’s athletic complex.
However, district officials announced January 20 they were “severing the negotiations” for the Islamic Games on district property, citing Abbott’s terror designation for CAIR.
“Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District rightfully announced it was ‘severing the negotiations for the use of District properties for the 2026 Islamic Games’ at Colleyville Heritage High,” Abbott wrote, citing prior DX reporting.
“District officials cited my designation of CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization and observed that state law prohibits governmental entities from entering into contracts with such entities.”
Islamic Games President Salaudeen Nausrudeen previously told The Dallas Express the group operates independently from CAIR, which “supported – not sponsored – the Games” in the past.
“The Islamic Games aim to promote sports and healthy lifestyles among children and youth and to foster unity and togetherness by bringing communities together to compete and celebrate each other,” Nausrudeen said.
At the time, Colleyville Mayor Bobby Lindamood told The Dallas Express he was proud of the city’s faith community, and said officials condemned “those fueled by hate.”
“I was surprised to hear that a controversial group labeled as a terrorist group by Governor Abbott was tied to a planned event at one of our school facilities,” Lindamood said. “I have been informed GCISD has withdrawn approval for this event, and I am relieved.”