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If you have been keeping up with what is happening in our nation, odds are you know that radical Islam is deepening its roots in our nation. The message is clear. We are here, and we will not assimilate. At the beginning of April, there was a showdown at the Texas State Board of Education, when it was revealed that Muslims wanted the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) curriculum to insert themselves in and rewrite our Texas history. Christians, parents, and students all showed up to make themselves heard.
Have you taken your place on the wall?
People showing up to state board meetings is nothing new. It should be normal for every concerned parent and Christian. However, when word spread that nearly one hundred Muslims were showing up at the State Board to influence and demand a change in the curriculum. Texans showed up in the largest turnout for a state board meeting. It was an estimated 350-400 people. From Tuesday, April 7th, to April 10th, the Texas State Board of Education meeting totaled 65 hours.
Donna Phillips, IFA’s Texas State Leader, was present to testify. Several days before the meeting, Donna organized an emergency time of prayer in preparation. She sent emails to the IFA Texas Prayer Group and several others, asking us to call and email our District State Board representatives to let them know we did not approve of the proposed changes to the TEKS. Some of us received no responses at all, and others received messages that we must be misunderstanding what the meeting was about.
One member of the prayer group, in particular, received a somewhat alarming message from a state board member, who told her that our concerns were nothing more than fear-mongering and rhetoric. Donna was shocked that this agenda was being minimized; she emailed that representative about his remarks, and as a result, received a personal invitation to testify. She was going to attend anyway, but to be personally invited to sit in was an answered prayer.
Donna said she was surprised that some board members did not share the same understanding of the purpose. “They believed our concerns were misplaced and that our presence was unnecessary. However, two members openly supported those who came to speak, affirming both the people and the substance of what was presented. That validation confirmed we were addressing the same issues,” she said.
CAIR Makes Demands
Years ago, we, along with many states, were fighting against Critical Race Theory infiltrating our Texas education; thankfully, it was banned from Texas. Over the past year, the new fight in Texas was against CAIR, an “Islamic-based advocacy group” that the FBI recognizes as the face of the Muslim Brotherhood in America, and they are advocating in our Texas schools? Unthinkable, but it is happening. They have shown up at the state boards four times this year.
“The list of demands made was to remove the founding fathers and the founding documents. To remove everything that was patriotic, and to remove Thanksgiving. They have a serious problem with Thanksgiving.” Board Member Julie Pickren said that when she prayed and asked the Lord why, He said, “The way to tear America down is to ban thankfulness to God. It would create resentment towards God, creating more hatred towards others.”
Donna also shared that when a Muslim female went up, she talked of how they were brought to America as slaves, so that made them a part of America’s founding. “They claimed that because Muslims were among those brought as slaves, they influenced places like the Alamo—even suggesting a role in its consecration. At the same time, they were careful to avoid explicit religious language while pushing for inclusion in world history and social studies. They frame it as a matter of freedom rather than constitutional grounding, while insisting that all perspectives be taught in the name of neutrality.”
During the hearing, Board Member Hall reminded the speaker that it was Muslims who brought in other Muslims as slaves, not Americans or the founding fathers. A strategy was revealed: if they can insert themselves into the founding of this nation, then they can claim some kind of ownership and right to contest it.
One State Board member was standing alone during a break. He was the one who told a prayer team member that we were fear-mongering and then personally invited Donna to the meeting. “When I saw him, I felt the Holy Spirit say, ‘Go and introduce yourself,’ so I did. I shook his hand and said, ‘I don’t know what the person wrote you, but I would like to know what prompted that response.’ She told him, “I am a community engager, and he replied, That’s what I do too. You must have been confused. We aren’t letting Sharia or any religion come into our education. I’m not about any religion. You are pulling in points that have nothing to do with it.” Donna said, “We want to talk about our constitution and the standard of our constitution.” After speaking with him, Donna quickly revised her initial points to raise the standard of our U.S. Constitution.
Donna noted the profound difference it makes when Christians and patriots show up. “Not everyone needs to speak, but at least show up. When we initially emailed and called about the 90 Muslims who signed up, we were told it was not true. But when we arrived, there were at least 100 Muslims who showed up, though we only saw about three women, and a small handful of Muslim students spoke out. I truly believe that the overwhelming presence of believers who showed up to speak fortified our state board members. My feeling is that we were there to guard the gates. God had given us authority to do so,” Donna said.
A Conversation Turns into an Invitation
Outside of the State Board where the testifying was taking place, Donna approached the three main female Muslim speakers. She noted that these women were quite influential among the rest, so she wanted to engage with them. “I walked over and casually introduced myself. I said, ‘Hi. I am handing out these flyers to everyone. Would you like one?” These were preprinted flyers comparing Sharia law to the U.S. Constitution that IFA made. Before the day of the meeting, Donna had made copies for all fifteen members of the State Board of Education.
The Muslim women, when handed the flyer, glanced at it, but when they saw the word “Sharia,” they said no. Donna asked, “Why would you not want to see how Sharia is not compatible with our laws? You do not have those rights here.” One woman responded, “What do you mean we don’t have those rights?” She then began to compare the Bible with the Quran and said, “Your Bible is just as bad. Do you know how old Rebekah was when she married Isaac?”
As she talked about Rebekah’s age, Donna mentioned Mohammed and Aisha. They denied everything. But Donna told them, “I am studying several of your texts. It’s not only in the Quran, but also in other writings that confirm Aisha was only six when Mohammed, aged 50, married her, and nine at consummation. Our constitution protects children from abuse and child marriage. There is no comparison. Anyone against the U.S. Constitution can’t possibly thrive here,” Donna said.
An adolescent muslim boy spoke to Donna and said, in a challenging tone, “Well, what age do you think it’s okay for a girl to get married?” She shared that when a child is an adult and able to sign their own marriage certificate. “Child marriage is harmful to women and children,” she said. Donna believes that for this boy to ask that question alone proves he’s already been indoctrinated by their ideology.
Donna had prepared printed material and said I could show it to you. Surprisingly, he agreed to see the material and began walking with Donna when one of the women, possibly a relative or guardian, grabbed his arm and said, “No.” Even though he was stopped, we counted it as a sign of praise that, for a moment, this young man thought for himself and expressed interest in reading other material that conflicted with his theology. After that, they stayed away and chose not to mingle or even sit near the same side. They kept themselves segregated from the rest of the group, Donna shared. There is no comparison. If you are against the U.S. Constitution, there is no way you can thrive here,” Donna said.
It was a three-day meeting, a heated battle for the future of our Texas children and our educational standards. Donna said that Texas is a testing ground. What is passed here will flow into other states. It was crucial that so much intercession went on behind the scenes, as well as the many who went and put their boots on the ground at the state board.
To God Be The Glory
State Board Member Julie Pickren was on IFA’s Thursday Webcast with Chief Program Officer Kris Kubal to talk about the miraculous answer to prayer. She believes that because so many believers, parents, and patriots showed up, the atmosphere shifted.
“Tensions ran high, and nerves were frayed. The first night went 18-20 hours straight; we hadn’t eaten. But we decided that we needed to defeat the lies and put the truth in place. America was founded on Christian values. For the first time in sixty years, we added standards that haven’t been taught anywhere in the U.S. We added the Great Awakening, and the Black Robed Regiment, the Pastors and Freedom Fighters who were crucial to the founding of our Declaration of Independence. We added virtue and Judeo-Christian values. We are teaching our children that honor and patriotism produce excellent citizens,” Pickren said.
“We submitted over twenty amendments, and they all passed,” Member Pickren said. “This was a miracle, especially because at the last meeting, we did not have the votes. It looked as if the votes would go in favor of CAIR. We thought it would take a much longer process, but it became an Ephesians 3:20 moment, she said.”
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
In June, the Texas State Board of Education will meet for the second reading and final adoption of the amendments. This is crucial because no substantive amendment can be made (attempts to change) on a second reading. “We need one more vote to make it a law. “If, and God willing, when this passes, it will stand for fifteen years in Texas. The next step is for national publishers to work on textbooks, develop the materials, and adapt them to the standards. This is not just for Texas, but will impact every state in the country. Once these standards become law, they will be mandated and cannot be vetoed,” Member Pickren said.
Will you continue to stand in the gap with us so that, in June, the added amendments inserting God into our history and preserving Texas history will pass the final vote? What happens here can affect your state, too.
Father, we thank You for this miraculous answer to prayer, and the prayers of every intercessor who showed up, spoke, called, emailed, or prayed in agreement. We cover member Pickren and all who are contending for our children’s futures, and we stand in agreement with your word in Ephesians 3:20. We ask that, in the final vote in June, You do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to your power. Be exalted in our education mountain, in Texas, and America, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Add your own prayers in the comments below.
IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor and listen to her podcast, Something To Share. Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images via Canva Teams.
