Just a week after a blue wave hit the Lone Star State, a Muslim state representative has filed multiple bills ahead of the 90th legislative session that would implement Islamic practices and holidays.
Democrat state Rep. Suleman Lalani, an immigrant from Pakistan who represents Texas House District 76, which encompasses Fort Bend and Harris counties, filed several bills ranging from establishing a “Muslim Heritage Day” to ensuring halal food is provided in schools.
Bill filing opened for Texas legislators on Monday.
Lalani filed House Bill 236, which amends Chapter 662 of the Texas Government Code to recognize Feb. 4 as Muslim Heritage Day in the state. The bill states that the day would recognize the historical, cultural, and social contributions of Muslim Americans to Texas.
In addition to filing HB 236, he also filed House Resolution 16, which would formally recognize the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in 2027.
The ceremonial resolution would honor Muslims who observe Ramadan in the state and would “extend to Muslims across the Lone Star State sincere, best wishes for a joyous and meaningful observance.”
Lalani also filed two bills that relate to ensuring public schools provide halal food for students.
He filed HB 401, which would require Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide halal meal options when a parent or student requests one. The proposal would apply to both the school breakfast and lunch programs.
Lalani subsequently filed HB 426, which creates a similar halal-meal requirement in schools but would apply to a smaller number of school districts and charter schools. Under this legislation, school districts in counties with a population of at least 2.1 million and counties adjacent to those counties would have to provide halal food in schools.
In response to the Muslim Heritage Day bill, Republican state Rep. Mike Olcott wrote on X that he already knows how he will vote.
“The Democrats aren’t wasting anytime. On the first day of filing, they have already introduced a bill establishing “Muslim Heritage Day” in Texas!” Olcott wrote. “Pretty sure I know how I’m voting on this bill—what say you?!”
RAIR Foundation USA founder and editor-in-chief Amy Mek also wrote on X in response to the filing, sharing previous bills from Lalani and fellow Muslim Democrat state Rep. Salman Bhojani that sought to recognize Islam in the state.
Mek wrote that both Lalani and Bhojani pushed a 10-year “Muslim Heritage Month,” a 10-year “Day to Combat Islamophobia,” official Capitol recognition of Pakistan Day, halal accommodations, and imam marriage authority.
“They swore in on the Quran … and now they are back with another official state recognition,” Mek wrote. “This is not random. It is the same incremental playbook: normalize, institutionalize, then expand.”
“One ceremonial day today, more demands tomorrow,” Mek added. “Texas is now Pakistan. We do not need Muslim Heritage Day written into Texas law. Texas last, and now Pakistan and Islam first.”
The 90th Texas legislative session convenes Jan. 12, 2027.
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[ H/T The Daily Signal ]
