Texas Gov. Abbott Halts EPIC City Project Amid Sharia Law Concerns, Orders Multiple Probes
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has confirmed that the construction of the planned "EPIC City" has been stopped and is now under multiple investigations. The project, which was backed by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), had proposed building a Muslim-themed community in Collin and Hunt counties.
“Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place,” Abbott said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. And, the US Department of Justice is also investigating.”
EPIC City was initially planned to include more than 1,000 homes, a mosque, a faith-based school, and a community college. The development is being led by Community Capital Partners, a group which was formed by EPIC to manage the project.
Despite being accused, EPIC has denied claims that the city would operate under Sharia law or violate state regulations. The group says that it will follow all the state and federal laws. “Sharia law is not allowed in Texas,” Abbott posted earlier in February, as noted Newsweek.
The project has drawn criticism from some of the top state officials, including Attorney General Ken Paxton. In March, state authorities had sent a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC over unlicensed funeral services, and Paxton’s office issued a Civil Investigative Demand to the developers, reported Newsweek.
Federal attention has also increased on the project. On Friday, Senator John Cornyn said that the Department of Justice responded to his request to investigate the development for possible religious discrimination.
“I am grateful to Attorney General Bondi and the Department of Justice for hearing my concerns and opening an investigation into the proposed EPIC City development in North Texas,” Cornyn said. “Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no place in the Lone Star State.”
“Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place,” Abbott said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. And, the US Department of Justice is also investigating.”
EPIC City was initially planned to include more than 1,000 homes, a mosque, a faith-based school, and a community college. The development is being led by Community Capital Partners, a group which was formed by EPIC to manage the project.
Despite being accused, EPIC has denied claims that the city would operate under Sharia law or violate state regulations. The group says that it will follow all the state and federal laws. “Sharia law is not allowed in Texas,” Abbott posted earlier in February, as noted Newsweek.
The project has drawn criticism from some of the top state officials, including Attorney General Ken Paxton. In March, state authorities had sent a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC over unlicensed funeral services, and Paxton’s office issued a Civil Investigative Demand to the developers, reported Newsweek.
Federal attention has also increased on the project. On Friday, Senator John Cornyn said that the Department of Justice responded to his request to investigate the development for possible religious discrimination.
“I am grateful to Attorney General Bondi and the Department of Justice for hearing my concerns and opening an investigation into the proposed EPIC City development in North Texas,” Cornyn said. “Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no place in the Lone Star State.”
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