A proposed Muslim-centric, multi-purpose development and community being proposed in Texas faces significant opposition from both residents and state officials, with the state’s governor even directing the Texas Rangers to conduct a criminal investigation into the project.
The East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) and investment group Community Capital Partners are spearheading efforts to build a planned community on a 400-acre purchased property in Josephine, a city about 40 miles northeast of Dallas, between Collin and Hunt counties.
The “EPIC City“ project is described on its website as a "community aimed at serving the needs of the Muslim community." The development will include 1,000 homes, a faith-based K-12 school, a mosque, apartments, shops, and even a community college.
While the planners said they’re still in the planning phase, and no permits have been requested by the property owners or developers yet, the proposed planned community has already met with backlash from Texas state officials.
The state’s Attorney General, Ken Paxton, announced on March 25th that he started an investigation into EPIC City for its potential violations of the state’s consumer protection laws, adding that “promotional materials advertised by EPIC have explicitly stated that EPIC is the 'only beneficiary of profits' from EPIC City."
Prior to this investigation, Representative Jeff Leach (R-Allen) had already written a letter to Paxton last February, saying, "Reports indicate that this large-scale real estate development may seek to incorporate elements of Sharia law into its operations. We must ensure that no entity attempts to circumvent state law under the guise of cultural or religious accommodation."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is demanding that EPIC put a stop to the plans to build the community after five investigations were launched and after a hearing on March 31st, where Collin County residents spoke out against the plan during public comment.
"The proposed community will never see the light of day," the Texas governor wrote on X on March 26th.
He also wrote on X last April 2nd that “Texas is investigating EPIC City for many allegations, including attempts to circumvent the law,“ adding that “all entities in Texas must follow state law, not Sharia law.“
Representatives for EPIC City addressed the backlash against the proposal by issuing a statement stating that, "We understand that there has been a lot of rumor-milling and misinformation circulated by many who are uninformed. We look forward to working with the Attorney General to ensure that we are in legal compliance every step of the way."
Dr. Yasir Qadhi, an Islamic scholar at EPIC who is also the driving force behind the plan, also criticized the backlash against the project during a Friday sermon, arguing that they are only exercising the freedoms and rights afforded to them as American citizens under the US Constitution.
"There is a lot of misinformation, a lot of negative campaigns about our faith, about our mosque in particular. None of this is true; Allah be praised. We thank Allah for all that we are doing. We are grateful for the freedoms given to us in this land, and we are taking advantage of our constitutional rights – not doing anything more than what the constitution allows us.” Qadhi said.
He even commented on the issue of Palestine and used it to compare their current situation with the planned community.
"If what is happening in Palestine is not going to inspire us to understand that the world is changing... Allah be praised, what is happening over there – this is all part of the agenda now to criminalize and demonize our faith. They want to make Islam look bad to justify what is happening over there. They have done this before, 25 years ago, 10 years ago, and they are doing it again. But they failed back then, and they will fail again.” Qadhi added.
