Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday that construction plans for a large-scale Muslim residential development, proposed by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), have been put on hold due to regulatory and permitting issues.
The project, referred to by EPIC as “EPIC City,” was intended to span 402 acres and include over 1,000 residential homes, a faith-based educational institution, a college, a mosque, and various commercial facilities. While the initiative was pitched as a comprehensive and inclusive community, state officials launched an investigation into the legal status of the development after the proposal gained public attention.
To be clear, Sharia law is not allowed in Texas.
Nor are Sharia cities.
Nor are “no go zones“ which this project seems to imply.
Bottom line. The project as proposed in the video is not allowed in Texas. https://t.co/5Sw5VdXD31
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 24, 2025
According to a press statement from Governor Abbott’s office, EPIC had not secured the necessary environmental permits required for construction. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reported that no formal authorization had been submitted for such a large-scale project, prompting the state to issue a warning.
“The organization behind EPIC City did not follow required permitting procedures,” Abbott stated. “They are now obligated to confirm, within seven days, that any and all development activity has been suspended. Otherwise, they will be subject to legal enforcement under Texas law.”
The governor also referenced past concerns about the project’s intentions, particularly in light of a now-deleted post that some interpreted as promoting elements of Sharia law. In February, Abbott publicly addressed those concerns, asserting: “Sharia law has no place in Texas. Neither do Sharia-based cities or so-called ‘no-go zones’ implied by such developments.”
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Sharia, an Islamic legal framework derived from religious texts, has long been a contentious subject in American politics. Texas formally passed legislation in 2017 prohibiting the use of foreign laws, including Sharia, in the state’s courts.
In defense of the development, EPIC and its affiliates emphasized the community’s inclusive mission. “EPIC City is a vision for a diverse and welcoming neighborhood,” said Community Capital Partners, a group associated with the project. “It’s not about exclusion — it’s about creating harmony among residents.”
The developers of EPIC City have brought on one of Ken Paxton’s lawyers, Dan Cogdell of Houston, to defend them.https://t.co/KfQfdQrau9
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) April 3, 2025
Civil rights organizations expressed concern over the tone and response from the state government. William White, director of the Houston office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said, “As a sixth-generation Texan, it feels as if Muslims are being told we don’t belong here.”
EPIC resident scholar Dr. Yasir Qadhi echoed those sentiments in an interview with Newsweek. “This community aims to be a model of integration and positive contribution. We want to show what a thriving, values-driven Muslim neighborhood can look like,” he said.
Dan Cogdell, legal counsel for the developers, argued that religious bias may be influencing the opposition. “There are countless communities being built across Texas, but this one is being scrutinized because it includes a mosque rather than a church or synagogue. That’s the only difference,” he told the Houston Chronicle.
And Sharia law is outlawed in Texas under a law I signed in 2017.
Texas is investigating EPIC City for many allegations, including attempts to circumvent that law.
All entities in Texas must follow state law, not Sharia law. https://t.co/lrlefjelOV
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 1, 2025
Governor Abbott reiterated his position online this week, emphasizing that Texas laws must be upheld by all residents. “Sharia law is banned in Texas, as per legislation I signed in 2017. EPIC City is under review for various alleged violations, including attempts to bypass this law,” he wrote in response to a post by women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines.
The governor’s office confirmed that several state agencies are still actively investigating the proposal for possible legal breaches, and further action may follow based on their findings.