Texas orders Muslim university in Dallas to shut down
Texas officials I ordered A Dallas-area Muslim university will close after the school was accused of illegally offering undergraduate programs without state approval.
One 6 May letter The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board said in a report sent to TexAM University in Dallas that the organization “must immediately cease advertising, offering, and enrolling students in degrees or programs until the application and Certificate of Entitlement is issued.”
The letter claimed that TexAM University in Dallas “operates a ‘university’ offering presentations.”[s] STEM degree programs are both online and ‘on campus at Richardson.'”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at an event in Dallas, Texas.
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The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board wrote that after an investigation, it was determined that TexAM was not in compliance with Texas laws and regulations.
“TexAM’s advertisements and postings through its website indicate that your organization has publicly identified itself as offering the State of Texas STEM degree programs, including a master’s degree. Artificial intelligence and admissions to undergraduate programs in computer science, IT, cybersecurity, and health informatics,” the letter said.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday announced that he filed a lawsuit TexAM University in Dallas allegedly “unlawfully represented itself as a university, offered degrees it was not authorized to award, and misled prospective students as to its legitimacy.”
In a press release, Paxton said TexAM University in Dallas also “adopted branding and a ‘confusingly similar’ name.” Texas A&M University“
Muslim men pray during Friday prayers at a mosque in Plano, Texas, on April 11, 2025.
“TexAM has repeatedly ignored Texas law, misrepresented its degree-granting authority, and risked misleading students about its legitimacy,” Paxton said. “My office will not allow illegal, unaccredited grade mills to operate in Texas.”
In its letter, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board said TexAM University in Dallas must sign an attached letter by May 8 and return it to the institution confirming that the institution has discontinued its offers.
Shahid A. Bajwa, founder and chairman of the board of trustees of the American Muslim Technological Institute of Texas, said in a statement to Fox News Digital, “We have just learned that the Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit for non-compliance. They have sued our Institute and me personally for $1 Million along with two other Members/Directors of the Non-Profit. We cannot understand how the following compliance facts were ignored and not even mentioned in the Lawsuit. However, we stand ready. To discuss and resolve any misunderstanding.”
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks next to an image of a mosque in split-view format.
Regarding the letter from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Bajwa said, “THECB We have already followed the instructions of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and emailed them in writing as required on May 11. The period has been extended by THECB. We do not operate as a “University” and do not use the name “University” and do not offer Degree programs and degree courses required by their students.”
He also said that the organization has closed its website and social media accounts.
Regarding the similarity of the organization’s name with Texas A&M University, Bajwa said: “Texas A&M University has given us a deadline to comply and stop using our Brand Name “TexAM” as they suspect it is creating confusion due to some alleged similarities. We are investigating this and will be able to feedback to them accordingly.”
Admission to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, on April 3, 2015.
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Fox News Digital He reached out to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Paxton for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Original article source: Texas orders closure of Muslim university in Dallas
