Cease-and-Desist Letter Sent to Texas American Muslim University
On Friday, the Texas A&M University System issued a cease-and-desist letter to Texas American Muslim University, also known as TexAM University, in Dallas. This action is due to alleged trademark infringements, as the Texas A&M University System claims that the name “TexAM” and similar branding are unauthorized. Chancellor Glenn Hegar emphasized the importance of protecting the system’s name and trademark, which reflect over 150 years of educational history.
The day before, on May 7, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) issued its own directive under the Texas Education Code. This order, which was associated with remarks from Republican Governor Greg Abbott, stated that TexAM does not have the required certificate to operate as a private institution or confer degrees in Texas. Consequently, the organization was instructed to stop all advertising and refrain from using terms like “university” and “degree” in their operations.
Texas American Muslim Institute of Technology, operating as TexAM University, has registered as a non-profit in Texas, with its address listed at the Dallas Diyanet Mosque and the American Islamic Seminary. The university claims to be the first in the U.S. to offer a STEM degree coupled with a mandatory course in Islamic studies, dedicating about 30 percent of its curriculum to topics like ethics and values associated with Islam.
Shahid A. Bajwa, board chairman and CEO of the Texas American Technology Foundation, mentioned that the organization is collaborating with THECB to ensure compliance with the regulations. He clarified that the university does not currently issue degrees and intends to pause its activities pending accreditation. The initiative is reportedly funded through donations and seeks to cater to students whose educational values align with Islamic principles.
This situation follows other controversial developments surrounding Muslim community projects in Texas that have drawn public scrutiny. One example is a proposed “sustainable city” in Kaufman County by a UAE-based developer, which faced significant opposition from the community and was eventually withdrawn after a Daily Caller report highlighted concerns over transparency and governance.
Additionally, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into potential illegal developments branded as “Sharia City” in Kaufman County, underscoring the ongoing tensions. There’s also been a notable instance where Governor Abbott threatened to withhold over $530,000 in state funding from Grand Prairie for a planned “Muslim-only” event at a city-owned waterpark.
In light of recent events, the city of Grand Prairie has canceled the DFW Epic Eid Celebration that was set for June 1st, initially promoted as a “Muslim-only” gathering.
