CAIR-DFW Adresses Board of Education

November 24th, 2025

CAIR DFW Addresses the Texas Board of Education

On November 19 in Austin, CAIR DFW Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll and CAIR Austin member Shaimaa Zayan delivered a powerful address before the Texas State Board of Education, urging the board to include more accurate and positive examples of Muslim Americans in the state’s curriculum. His remarks underscored a message that resonates across Texas classrooms and communities: representation matters, and it shapes how students understand themselves and one another.

Carroll highlighted that Muslim Americans have been part of the fabric of this nation since its earliest days. From early African Muslim enslaved people who preserved their faith and dignity under unimaginable conditions to modern day leaders in medicine, business, education, the military, and public service, Muslim contributions span every sector of American life. Yet these stories are too often left out or reduced to narrow narratives that fail to reflect the depth and diversity of the community.

In his address, Carroll emphasized that positive representation does not mean glossing over history.

Instead, it ensures that students see a fuller, more honest picture of the country they live in, one that includes Muslim scientists like Ahmed Zewail, activists like Malcom X, Olympians like Ibtihaj Muhammad, and the millions of everyday Muslim Americans contributing to society.

Carroll noted that inclusive curriculum standards help combat bullying, reduce prejudice, and foster mutual respect. When students encounter accurate portrayals of marginalized communities, they gain the tools to think critically and compassionately about the world around them.

He closed by urging the board to recognize the responsibility they hold in shaping future generations. “Our children deserve to learn in an environment that reflects the richness of our shared history,” Carroll said. “Texas students benefit when every community’s story is told with dignity and truth.”

CAIR DFW remains committed to advocating for educational equity and uplifting the voices of all Texans in the pursuit of a more just and inclusive future.

CAIR DFW TEAM