Governor Abbott, Government should never discriminate against any religion—but neither should it mistake reasonable accommodation for religious favoritism. A small ablution facility, paid for by private individuals, is no more an “establishment of religion” than nursing rooms are an establishment of parenthood, kosher meal options an establishment of Judaism, vegetarian options an establishment of vegetarianism, or accessible restroom facilities an establishment of disability. They are practical accommodations that allow ordinary citizens to use public facilities safely and with dignity. And in this case, any traveler, of any faith, could use the facility to wash their feet—something, I suspect, quite a few weary travelers would appreciate. Muslims are not asking airports to endorse Islam. They are asking for the same principle that has long guided our nation: people of different faiths should be able to practice their sincerely held beliefs while participating fully in public life. As Texans, we all benefit when our public institutions are welcoming to everyone. Protecting the religious liberty of one community strengthens the religious liberty of every community. There is no “Shariah takeover” of Texas. It is deeply disappointing to see you amplify this false trope about your Muslim constituents in order to appeal to anti-Muslim sentiment. The closest thing we have to a Muslim takeover of the Lone Star State is the proliferation of shawarma and falafel shops—along with a few truly outstanding halal Texas BBQ joints. Any time you would like to actually talk to your Muslim constituents, I would be happy to meet you over some meat at any one of them. What makes this episode especially ironic is the glaring double standard. In 2017, you signed legislation restricting Texas governmental entities from contracting with companies that boycott Israel. In other words, Texas has been willing to condition access to government contracts on a company's commercial conduct toward one particular foreign country. Yet a privately funded facility designed to accommodate the religious practices of some Texas citizens is suddenly portrayed as impermissible religious favoritism. Why the radically different standards? Why is accommodating the religious needs of Muslim Texans treated with suspicion, while the State of Israel has been afforded extraordinary statutory protection? Governor Abbott, this latest manufactured controversy—and the continued willingness to use Muslims as a political foil—may well serve short-term political purposes. But elections are not the final measure of public leadership. Eventually, all of us will return to our Lord and be judged by Him. And history has an uncanny ability to revisit the moral failures that politics once rewarded. Do you really wish to be remembered as the George Wallace of our time? I am a proud Texan, Governor Abbott. I was born here. I studied here. I graduated from here. I married here. I work here, I live here, and I pay my taxes here. Texas is my home. I respect the office you hold. But your repeated willingness to malign and marginalize your Muslim constituents has, sadly, caused me to lose my respect for the man who holds it.