CAIR Demands Probe Into Texas Funeral Service Commission After Anti-Muslim Messages Surface
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to authorize a full probe into alleged civil rights violations at the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) after the release of anti-Muslim texts sent by TFSC's chair, Kristin Tips. The controversy erupted in mid-August 2025 when details emerged that Tips shared Islamophobic graphics and media with then-executive director Scott Bingaman as the commission investigated the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) for allegedly operating as a funeral home without a license.
Unveiling the Controversy
According to reporting from KERA News and the Houston Chronicle, the anti-Muslim exchanges occurred in May 2025, during state investigations into EPIC. This North Texas mosque has faced intense scrutiny from state officials and online communities. The incident centers on texts sent by Tips, including a graphic that falsely claimed the Quran described non-Muslims as “subhuman” and that touching the sacred text as a non-Muslim “can mean death.” She also forwarded YouTube videos and links to far-right commentators casting EPIC City’s planned development as a security threat and source of “cultural replacement”.
In one text, Tips sent Bingaman a graphic from the Shirion Collective, a “pro-Israel surveillance network,” as well as a video where right-wing YouTuber Tal Oran labeled the mosque’s proposed community as a breeding ground for “terrorists.” Bingaman replied, “Not a fan… tough to be tolerant when taught hate,” reflecting apparent agreement with the prejudiced depiction.
The Mosque Under Investigation and the Broader Climate of Anti-Muslim Sentiment
EPIC City, a proposed 402-acre development in Collin and Hunt counties, includes plans for a new mosque, K–12 faith-based school, and more than 1,000 homes. State officials, including Governor Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, have launched five separate investigations into the mosque and its project, citing concerns about alleged violations of housing law, consumer protection, and religious discrimination against non-Muslims—allegations EPIC has strongly denied.
Governor Abbott, who appointed Tips to the commission, praised the regulatory probe and claimed the mosque was knowingly operating a funeral home without a license. EPIC’s leadership maintains that the commission has “no authority” over its funeral practices and sued TFSC, arguing the mosque is being targeted based on religion. The commission later downgraded some claims, allowing EPIC’s funeral services to continue, but left its investigation open.
CAIR’s Advocacy and Call for Accountability
CAIR criticized what it described as “broad attacks” on the mosque, urging transparency and calling for an independent review. Corey Saylor, CAIR’s research and advocacy director, stated, “Governor Abbott was very free with launching investigations targeting Muslims and has shared Islamophobic content from at least two social media accounts. He should now be transparent with Texans and open the books to an impartial investigator because the current picture we have is that anti-Muslim hate drove his attack on EPIC City and possibly influenced the funeral service commission as well”.
State Rep. Salman Bhojani, one of Texas’s first Muslim lawmakers, responded to reports of the commission’s Islamophobic messaging by underscoring the importance of accountability for government officials. “When you're in the government, whether you're elected or appointed, you should be held to a higher standard. You should not be insinuating this kind of hate amongst your peers and executive director,” Bhojani told KERA News.
Internal Turmoil at the Funeral Commission
The fallout within the TFSC has been considerable. Bingaman was dismissed amid accusations that he had challenged Tips for allegedly using her commission position to advance funeral industry interests. Two staff attorneys who publicly supported Bingaman’s claims were fired in July. TFSC sued them for allegedly violating the attorney-client privilege after details of their terminations were shared with KERA News, but soon dropped the suit.
Religious Freedom and Islamophobia in Texas
This conflict has played out against a backdrop of escalating Islamophobia in Texas. Attacks and rhetoric targeting Muslims have increased in frequency and severity, with elected officials and party leaders publicly referring to Muslims in derogatory terms and urging the government to restrict Muslim participation in American civic life.
CAIR’s call for an independent probe may force further scrutiny of the Texas Funeral Service Commission, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in state government. EPIC City’s lawsuit and the ongoing investigations underscore significant tensions around religious freedom, civil rights, and the state’s role in regulating faith-based institutions. As Texas confronts its growing diversity, the outcome of this case may set important precedents for how religious minorities are protected under state and federal law.
“The current picture we have is that anti-Muslim hate drove his attack on EPIC City and possibly influenced the funeral service commission as well.” – Corey Saylor, CAIR research and advocacy director, as reported by KERA News.
The unfolding situation continues to attract national attention, raising questions about institutional bias and the protections available to religious communities in Texas and across the country.