ROOKE: Texas A&M University Takes Aim At New Muslim College

Texas A&M University System sent a cease-and-desist letter Friday to a new Muslim university operating in Dallas, Texas.

Texas American Muslim University at Dallas, also known as TexAM University, is facing multiple cease-and-desist orders. Texas A&M University accused the group of trademark infringement through its use of “TexAM” and similar branding. Chancellor Glenn Hegar said the system has a duty to protect its name and trademarks, which represent more than 150 years of academic work and public trust.

Officials with The Texas A&M University System have formally objected to the unauthorized use of the Texas A&M University name and trademarks by a Muslim education entity in North Texas that is branding itself as “TexAM University.”

Full Press Release: https://t.co/1BQaE34uCD pic.twitter.com/gpCgH0PuHQ

— Texas A&M System (@tamusystem) May 8, 2026

One day earlier, May 7, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) issued its own cease-and-desist order at the direction of Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The THECB order stated that TexAM lacked the Certificate of Authority required under Texas Education Code Chapter 61 for private postsecondary institutions to operate or grant degrees in the state. The order directed the group to stop all advertising, enrollment, and use of terms such as “university” or “degree” in connection with its operations. (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)

The Texas American Muslim Institute for Technology at Dallas is a nonprofit registered with the Texas secretary of state. It operates under the assumed name Texas American Muslim University at Dallas, or TexAM University. The group is based in Richardson, Texas, an address shared with the Dallas Diyanet Mosque and the Islamic Seminary of America.

The institution has described itself as the first U.S. university to offer STEM degree programs that include mandatory Islamic Studies courses, with roughly 30 percent of the curriculum focused on Islamic studies, ethics, and values.

The board chairman, Shahid A. Bajwa, who also serves as CEO of the related Texas American Technologies Foundation, said the group was engaging with the THECB to achieve compliance. He stated the institution had not granted degrees and would pause related activities until authorized. The group has described the project as donation-funded and aimed at serving students seeking education aligned with their faith and values.

The TexAM case follows other recent developments involving Muslim community projects in Texas that faced public scrutiny and were later halted.

A large “sustainable city” project undertaken by a UAE-based developer in Kaufman County was set to house up to 20,000 residents, but failed due to community backlash following Daily Caller reporting in March.

Plans included new water districts and were discussed in meetings that some residents said lacked transparency. Concerns centered on foreign backing, potential scale relative to local infrastructure, and governance questions. (ROOKE: American Colleges Have A New Slogan: Foreigners First)

Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into the development Feb. 9 after the Daily Caller investigation. Republican Texas Rep. Lance Gooden contacted the developers directly, telling the Caller that the developer had decided to withdraw the proposal.

BREAKING: I’m announcing an investigation into a potentially illegal “sharia city” development in Kaufman County.

While you’re on American soil, you will obey America’s laws. pic.twitter.com/qTDzm8Hv9o

— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) February 9, 2026

Similar patterns have appeared with other proposed large Islamic community or institutional projects in North Texas, including the infamous EPIC city, which has been rebranded as “The Meadow.”

Additionally, Abbott threatened to withhold more than $530,000 in state public safety grants from Grand Prairie over a planned “Muslim Only” event at its city-owned Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, after reporting from BlazeTV and Texas Scorecard personality Sara Gonzales.

Grand Prairie canceled the DFW Epic Eid Celebration, which had initially been promoted with flyers describing it as a “Muslims only” gathering, scheduled for June 1.

Follow Mary Rooke on X: @MaryRooke

Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!