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By James Bickerton
News Reporter
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said "a dozen state agencies" in the Lone Star State, along with Attorney General Ken Paxton, are investigating plans by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) to create a new Islamic focused settlement dubbed "EPIC City" in Collin and Hunt counties.
Newsweek contacted the East Plano Islamic Center for comment via email on Tuesday outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Plans for EPIC City have already proven controversial, with Abbott in February commenting "Sharia law is not allowed in Texas" in response to the project, though the organizers haven't said they plan to impose Sharia (Islamic) law in the settlement.
Read More on U.S.
During his first term in office President Donald Trump banned people from a number of predominantly Muslim countries from visiting the United States, having called for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims" entering the country. Earlier this month The New York Times published what it claimed was a draft memo from the Trump administration proposing a fresh entry ban on the citizens of 11 countries, of which seven are Muslim majority.
What To Know
In an X post on Monday Abbott wrote: "The proposed EPIC compound in Collin Co. has serious legal issues.
"A dozen state agencies are investigating it, the Attorney General will look into it, and legislators are considering laws to restrict it, as well as laws to prevent foreign adversaries from buying land in Texas."
The EPIC City proposal project is being managed by Community Capital Partners, which was "created by EPIC" according to its official website.
If constructed EPIC City would be built on a 402-acre site which covers parts of Collin and Hunt counties. Preliminary plans include over 1,000 houses, a mosque, a faith school, a community college and sports facilities split into two sections, EPIC Ranches One and Two.
In a February update East Plano Islamic Center resident scholar Yasir Qadhi said the plan was to create a "Muslim neighborhood" which would be "well integrated" into the wider community.
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The proposal was condemned by Abbott on X, with the governor posting: "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."
Speaking to The Dallas Morning News, Community Capital Partners insisted they "will not enforce blanket bans on any group of people, but we will conduct thorough individualized assessments of prospective buyers to ensure they align with our goals of safety and security."
Community Capital Partners added they will adhere to the Fair Housing Act, which bans discrimination in housing based on certain characteristics, including religion.
What People Are Saying
East Plano Islamic Center resident scholar Yasir Qadhi: "EPIC City is going to be a role model community of thousands of Muslims living well-integrated.
"We are not forming a cult. We're not forming big barriers between the rest of society. We're going to be giving back to this state and this country, and we're going to be showing what it means to be a Muslim neighborhood."
Community Capital Partners said in a statement: "Our vision is to build a diverse and inclusive community — one in which people of every background, faith, and culture can live together in harmony. We will uphold the safety and well-being of our neighbors at every step of development, starting with thorough individualized assessments of prospective buyers to ensure they align with our goals of safety and security."
What Happens Next
Plans for EPIC City are still in the preliminary stage and will be "revised based on the lot size survey from interested investors."
It is unclear what the investigations by Paxton and a "dozen state agencies" will uncover, but Abbott's strong opposition will be a major stumbling block for the developers. This is especially the case if, as Abbott suggests, lawmakers pass specific legislation to block development plans, though this could face a legal challenge.
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