{"id":188,"date":"2026-05-07T20:01:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T20:01:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=188"},"modified":"2026-05-07T20:01:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T20:01:55","slug":"gov-abbott-higher-ed-agency-order-north-texas-muslim-school-to-stop-operations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=188","title":{"rendered":"Gov. Abbott, higher ed agency order North Texas Muslim school to stop operations"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that the Texas American Muslim University at Dallas, a North Texas school that offers bachelor\u2019s programs with Islamic studies courses, must cease operations.<\/p>

Read more North Texas couple killed in Burleson murder-suicide identified<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board said the school is offering higher education courses and degrees without a proper certificate of authority, violating Texas laws for operating a higher education institution.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

<\/div>

At Abbott\u2019s direction, the state agency ordered the school, which is based in Richardson, to cease advertising its programs and enrolling students.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

\u201cTexas will not allow illegal educational institutions to operate in our state,\u201d Abbott wrote Thursday in a post on X.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Shahid Bajwa, the school\u2019s founder, declined to immediately respond to a request for comment.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Dallas News Logo<\/desc><\/svg><\/div><\/div>
<\/svg><\/div><\/svg><\/div><\/div>

Don’t let Google decide who you trust.<\/div><\/h3>
Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.<\/div>
Add Preferred Source<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Abbott\u2019s directive comes as state leaders have increasingly scrutinized Islamic schools and sought to curtail activities hosted by Muslim groups. The state comptroller\u2019s office initially held up dozens of Islamic K-12 schools from enrolling in Texas\u2019 new voucher-like program, with Abbott deeming the schools sites of \u201cradical Islamic indoctrination.”<\/p><\/div>

<\/div>

Related:<\/strong> <\/nobr>D-FW Islamic schools among those added to Texas school voucher-like program<\/p><\/div>

Texas American Muslim University at Dallas, which says its \u201cnorth star\u201d is to \u201cadvance Texas,\u201d advertises itself as the first university in the country to offer STEM degree programs with mandatory courses in Islamic studies.<\/p><\/div>

For example, students can enroll in an online Master\u2019s in Artificial Intelligence program, which consists of 40 credits. To complete the degree, students take nine technology classes and four Islamic ones. Another class, called \u201cIntroduction to Cybersecurity,\u201d meets twice a week and promises to provide a \u201ccomprehensive introduction to cybersecurity fundamentals.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

It costs \u201c$99 for a 3-credit course\u201d for international students, while U.S. students pay \u201c$99 X 3 for a 3-credit course,\u201d according to the website.<\/p>

Read more 2 people identified in crash that injured 2 others in Dallas\u2019 Pleasant Grove area<\/a><\/p><\/div>

<\/div>

Private universities must be authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to grant degrees in Texas under state law. The law, which aims to \u201cprevent deception of the public\u201d based on \u201cfraudulent or substandard college and university degrees,\u201d requires institutions that are already accredited or working toward accreditation to apply for authorization. For schools that are not accredited, agency officials review several factors, such as the institutions\u2019 mission, governance and financial resources and stability. A site visit is also part of the application.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

The school does not appear in the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

On Thursday, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board said the school, which is listed in state filings as a nonprofit, cannot use the term \u201cuniversity\u201d without a certificate of authority, according to a letter sent from the agency to the school.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

The school has until Friday to respond to the higher education agency\u2019s letter and confirm that it has \u201cvoluntarily, permanently, and immediately ceased\u201d advertising, offering and enrolling students in programs.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

<\/div>

Both Abbott and the coordinating board threatened legal action by the attorney general if the school does not comply.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

\n
\"image\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>

Catch up on the latest news and top stories from across North Texas, with updates in the morning and evening.<\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div>