Muslim Leaders Demand Action After Student Prayer Group Disrupted in Plano Park

North Texas Muslim community calls for protection and condemnation of verbal attack on Islamic prayer gathering

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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North Texas Muslim leaders are calling on local officials to condemn a verbal attack that disrupted a student prayer group gathering in Plano's Oak Point Park over the weekend. The group of about 20 University of Texas at Dallas Muslim students were conducting a sacred "blessings breakfast" prayer when an unrelated man approached and launched into a tirade against Islam. Muslim advocates say the behavior was unacceptable and are asking for Plano leaders and police to publicly condemn the incident and take steps to protect future prayer gatherings in public spaces.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about Islamophobia and the need to protect the rights of religious minorities to freely practice their faith, even in public spaces. Muslim leaders believe the same person may be responsible for a similar disruption of an Islamic prayer service in Austin two months ago, raising fears the behavior could escalate.

The details

The student prayer group was gathered at Plano's Oak Point Park for their regular "blessings breakfast" ritual, which includes a sacred prayer. An unrelated man approached the group and began verbally attacking them, launching into a tirade against Islam that was recorded on video. Muslim leaders say the behavior was unacceptable and want to see Plano officials and police publicly condemn the incident and take steps to protect future prayer gatherings in public spaces.

  • The incident occurred over the weekend in Plano, Texas.
  • A similar disruption of an Islamic prayer service happened in Austin two months ago.

The players

Mustafaa Carroll

The executive director for the Council on American Islamic Relations-DFW.

Shaimaa Zayan

The operations manager for CAIR-Austin.

University of Texas at Dallas Muslim students

A group of about 20 students who were conducting a prayer gathering in Plano's Oak Point Park.

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What they’re saying

“It's our way of staying connected to our creator. It's very essential to our mental health and our wellness.”

— Shaimaa Zayan, Operations manager, CAIR-Austin

“I think it's outrageous. Could you imagine what would have happened if I went into a church and saw a bunch of people praying, whether they're Christian or Buddhist or whatever, and I just started calling them names and telling them they were going to hell, etc., etc. What would the feeling be then?”

— Mustafaa Carroll, Executive director, CAIR-DFW

What’s next

Plano police said they will look into the matter if and when a report is filed, which the Council on American Islamic Relations says will happen.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing need to protect the rights of religious minorities to freely practice their faith, even in public spaces. Muslim leaders are calling for Plano officials and law enforcement to take concrete steps to condemn the behavior and ensure the safety of future prayer gatherings in the community.