Texas Governor Greg Abbott swiftly shut down an unauthorized Islamic university operating illegally from a Dallas mosque, protecting students from unaccredited degrees.
Story Highlights
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board issued cease-and-desist on May 7, 2026, to Texas American Muslim University at Dallas (TexAM) for lacking state authorization.
- Gov. Abbott personally directed the action, calling it an “illegal educational institution” and threatening escalation via Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- TexAM marketed STEM degrees like AI and cybersecurity plus mandatory Islamic studies without approval, using protected terms like “university.”
- Founder Shahid A. Bajwa claims no degrees offered yet and is pursuing approvals, but state demands immediate halt to advertising and enrollment.
Cease-and-Desist Order Details
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board sent a cease-and-desist letter on May 7, 2026, to TexAM in Richardson. Signed by Associate Commissioner Daniel R. Perez, the letter cites violations of Texas Education Code Chapter 61. TexAM operated from 1403 Campbell Rd., shared with Dallas Diyanet Mosque and Islamic Seminary of America. It advertised degrees without a required Certificate of Authority, risking criminal penalties and civil fines under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The board set a May 8 compliance deadline.
Governor Abbott’s Direct Intervention
Governor Greg Abbott announced he directed the board’s action on social media. He described TexAM as an “unauthorized Islamic educational institution operating illegally.” Abbott emphasized Texas’s commitment to regulatory compliance, preventing misleading students with worthless credentials. This move aligns with state efforts to combat diploma mills, ensuring higher education upholds standards of quality and accountability that Texans expect from their institutions.
TexAM’s model blended STEM fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and health informatics with 30% mandatory Islamic studies. Its website promoted programs for international students, including visa-free options for Pakistanis, without accreditation. Local support came from Richardson Mayor Amir Omar, who aided site selection, but a planned event faced cancellation amid scrutiny.
TexAM’s Response and Regulatory Context
Founder Shahid A. Bajwa responded on May 7, stating TexAM holds nonprofit status and no degrees have been conferred. He affirmed pursuit of authorizations while halting promotions. Texas law strictly protects terms like “university” for unapproved entities, mirroring past THECB shutdowns of fake colleges. This enforcement safeguards students from fraud, upholding principles of honest enterprise and government oversight against deceptive practices.
Muslims Tried To Open an Islamic University in Texas, Then THIS HAPPENED… https://t.co/Be9UgPbYb8 via @YouTube
— Lou Lou (@LouLou877857099) May 13, 2026
As of May 13, 2026, no public compliance confirmation or further state actions appear. TexAM cannot advertise or enroll, deterring short-term operations. Long-term, it reinforces barriers to unaccredited faith-based schools, potentially inspiring national scrutiny of similar setups. Conservatives praise the crackdown for prioritizing rule of law over unchecked expansion, resonating with frustrations over regulatory lapses that erode trust in institutions.
Sources:
Texas Scorecard: State Board Orders Muslim University in Dallas To Shut Down
JNS.org: Texas ed board orders self-described Muslim university to halt operations
Texas Family Project: Muslim University Shut Down by State Officials
