Muslim advocates, however, warn that a change in leadership alone will not bring an end to Islamophobia or the influence of anti-Muslim groups in Texas.

Texas Muslims are cautiously optimistic following Democrats’ sweeping victory in the state’s November 3 elections, which ended Republican control of statewide offices and could ease years of anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies.

Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Greg Abbott with 52% of the vote. Abbott had repeatedly accused her of being too radical for Texas, linking her opposition to legislation targeting the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood to support for Sharia law.

Mustafaa Carroll, executive director of CAIR’s Dallas-Fort Worth chapter, described the election outcome as a source of relief for Muslim communities but warned that anti-Muslim sentiment would not disappear with Abbott leaving office.

During his tenure, Abbott targeted Muslim communities, threatening to withhold state funding over Muslim events and projects. His administration also pressured Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to abandon plans for installing Islamic ablution facilities.

The East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) also faced a backlash, state investigations and a Department of Justice probe following false claims that it was planning a Muslim-only residential development.

Carroll said Republicans had used opposition to Sharia law as a political tool to mobilize voters through fear, but argued that the strategy ultimately backfired as voters focused on more pressing issues.

Muslim leaders are now hoping the new administration will reverse Abbott’s designation of CAIR as a terrorist organization.

Source: DallasObserver