Do Islamic Schools Deserve School Choice Benefits?

The recent portrayal of Iman Academy in the media attempts to reframe a serious and legitimate concern as “stereotyping.” We disagree. Texans deserve clarity, not spin.

The real question at stake is whether the values, teachings, and governing principles associated with Islam, particularly Sharia law, can coexist with the constitutional framework and legal traditions that define Texas and the United States.

The Real Story Behind the Lawsuits

According to reports, multiple Islamic schools filed lawsuits against Texas after being excluded from the state’s school voucher program, arguing religious discrimination. But what the media fails to emphasize is why these concerns arose in the first place. State officials have explicitly raised alarms about potential associations between some Islamic institutions and terrorist organizations like CAIR.

Let’s be clear: Texas operates under the U.S. Constitution and the laws passed in our own state. Sharia law is a religious legal system with fundamentally different principles governing speech, religious freedom, women’s rights, and governance.

These two systems are not interchangeable and cannot coexist.

You cannot have parallel legal philosophies operating under taxpayer-funded programs and expect no conflict. Public funds, like those used in the $1 billion school choice program, come with an expectation that participating institutions align with American legal norms and constitutional protections.

“Fairness” Is Not the Same as Compatibility

The Texas Tribune frames this as a matter of fairness, suggesting Islamic schools simply want to “prove” themselves as “pro-America.” 

Texas has a responsibility to ensure that any institution receiving taxpayer dollars is compatible with the values and laws governing our state. This debate ultimately comes down to a fundamental truth: what some groups believe is best for America is not necessarily what Texans believe is best for America.

Texas has long stood for faith, family, and freedom, but always under one law, one constitution, and one shared set of civic values. Allowing systems or ideologies that challenge that foundation undermines the very freedoms that make this country exceptional.

When it comes to public funding and public policy, Texas must draw a firm line:

• No competing legal systems

• No ambiguity about constitutional authority

• No compromise on the principles that define our state and nation

Texas families deserve confidence that their tax dollars are supporting institutions aligned with American values, not ones that may fundamentally conflict with them.