Latest news with #EastPlanoIslamicCenter
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Federal probe started into Muslim-centered community EPIC City, Sen. Cornyn says
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into a Muslim-centered planned community around one of the state's largest mosques north of Dallas, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said Friday. Cornyn requested the federal probe of the development last month, citing concerns it could discriminate against Christians and Jews. He announced in a post on X that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi had notified him of the investigation. Muslim-centered development sparks controversy and investigation In March, the proposed development got the attention of state lawmakers and prompted an investigation by Attorney General Ken Paxton. Called "EPIC City," the planned community could be built on top of 400 acres near Josephine between Collin and Hunt counties. Its website describes it as "a community aimed at serving the needs of the Muslim community" and includes 1,000 homes, a K-12 faith-based school, a mosque, apartments, shops, and even a community college. Gov. Greg Abbott posted to X in March: "The proposed community will never see the light of day." The developers of the proposed planned community tied to the East Plano Islamic Center, which has not yet been built, have said they are being bullied because they are Muslim. EPIC City Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Allen) wrote a letter to Paxton in 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." According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Sharia law is a "framework for personal conduct and moral guidance," but the regulation of the law varies depending on the person and county. Abbott recently said on X: "To be clear, Sharia law is not allowed in Texas. Nor are Sharia cities." "Just the fact that this neighborhood or community would be predominantly Muslim, that is not illegal," civil rights attorney James Roberts said. Roberts said the state has a right to investigate if EPIC City is violating state laws. "There have been other communities, religious communities that have had to deal with zoning ordinances and things of that nature, [where the city or state] says where they can and can't place religious facilities," Roberts said. "[The communities] won those lawsuits because that is a substantial burden on their religious freedoms." Texas launches investigations into EPIC City The state launched five investigations into EPIC City, as well as East Plano Islamic Center and investment group Community Capital Partners, which is heading the project. "I think this is just adding more fuel to the fire. And, you know, I'm not happy about that," said Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-District 92. EPIC City Bhojani is the first Muslim elected official in Texas history and said the attack on the project is a violation of religious freedom. Dan Cogdell, an attorney for EPIC City who defended Paxton in his 2023 impeachment trial in which the state Senate acquitted him, said the developers have "done nothing illegal and we will cooperate fully with all investigations-regardless of how misguided and unnecessary they are." The state investigations include whether the development is violating financial and fair housing laws and whether the mosque has conducted illegal funerals. Cogdell has said none of the investigations would be happening if the community were planned around a church or temple. The attacks on the project about Islamic law and other claims "are not only completely without merit and totally misleading, but they are dangerous as well," Cogdell said Friday. "These folks are US Citizens, law-abiding and Texans." The Council on American-Islamic Relations in the Dallas area also has criticized the state probes as bullying the Muslim community and a violation of constitutionally protected religious expression. Federal investigation The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment or to confirm Cornyn's announcement.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Greg Abbott Says All Construction Halted for Muslim 'EPIC City'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state has stopped all construction on "EPIC City," a proposed Muslim-themed development backed by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). EPIC officials have repeatedly denied claims that the town would violate state law, or operate under Islamic legal systems. Despite that, the project is under scrutiny from multiple agencies, with Abbott saying the development faces "a half dozen investigations". Newsweek contacted the East Plano Islamic Center for a response to the governor's comments via email. The Context The development proposal, dubbed "EPIC City," covers 402 acres in Collin and Hunt counties. It has drawn backlash from Texas officials, including Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, who have accused organizers of potential legal violations. Abbott previously wrote in March that "legislators are considering laws to restrict it, as well as laws to prevent foreign adversaries from buying land in Texas." What To Know On Sunday, Abbott said that his office had suspended the construction of EPIC City, which gets its name from the acronym of the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). The governor wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place. 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. This matter, and similar matters, are taken very seriously, and actions are being taken to address all concerns." Left: Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing in the State Capitol on April 23, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Right: concept art of EPIC city. Left: Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing in the State Capitol on April 23, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Right: concept art of EPIC city. EPIC/Getty Images EPIC City was planned to include over 1,000 homes, a mosque, a faith-based school, and a community college. The project is led by Community Capital Partners, created by EPIC to manage the development. Organizers say the community will fully comply with state and federal laws, and deny any intent to establish Sharia law, contrary to Abbott's public statements. In February, Abbott posted: "Sharia law is not allowed in Texas." In March, Texas authorities sent a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC demanding it stop funeral services, citing a lack of licensing. Paxton's office also issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Community Capital Partners. Last Friday, Texas Senator John Cornyn said that the Department of Justice had responded to his call to investigate potential "religious discrimination" at Epic City. "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. Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted, and I know under the Trump administration, they will be." What People Are Saying Mustafaa Carroll, executive director of the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told Newsweek: "Texas Governor Abbott and Attorney General Ken chosen to abuse their power by launching groundless 'investigations' against EPIC. "Instead of acting like true public servants and leaders, they have chosen to add fuel to the fire by disseminating hateful misinformation." In a Facebook post, the East Plano Islamic Center said: "We are regularly receiving hate calls and death threats. Our mosque leaders' personal home addresses have been shared, jeopardizing the safety of families." What Happens Next The EPIC City proposal remains in its early phases, and no formal planning application has yet been submitted. It is unclear how the investigations, cease-and-desist actions, and mounting political opposition will impact the project's future.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Texas Muslim housing project under lens
The US justice department has opened an investigation into a planned housing development outside Dallas that would have a mosque at its centre, Senator John Cornyn said Friday. Cornyn, who will face Texas' hard-right attorney general, Ken Paxton, next year in what could be a heated Republican primary contest for his own Senate seat, is the latest Texas Republican to challenge the development in the rural town of Josephine, project is backed by members of the East Plano Islamic Center, a mosque in Plano, and has drawn intense scrutiny from Republicans, including Gov Greg Abbott, who have accused the planners of seeking to create an exclusively Muslim community and to impose Islamic law on residents. In recent months, Abbott has directed several state agencies to investigate the development, known as EPIC City, suggesting it may have violated fair housing and financial laws.
New York Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Justice Department to Investigate Muslim Development in Texas, Cornyn Says
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into a planned housing development outside of Dallas that would have a mosque at its center, Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, said on Friday. Mr. Cornyn, who will face Texas's hard-right attorney general, Ken Paxton, next year in what could be a heated Republican primary contest for his own Senate seat, is the latest Texas Republican to challenge the development in the rural town of Josephine, Texas. The project is backed by members of the East Plano Islamic Center, a mosque in Plano, about 20 miles from Josephine, and has drawn intense scrutiny from Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, who have accused the planners of seeking to create an exclusively Muslim community and to impose Islamic law on residents. In recent months, Mr. Abbott has directed several state agencies to investigate the development, known as EPIC City, suggesting it may have violated fair housing and financial laws, and that the Islamic center had conducted illegal funerals in its mosque. Mr. Paxton has also initiated a criminal investigation. Now Mr. Cornyn has requested a federal investigation. Mr. Cornyn wants the Justice Department to investigate whether the Muslim developers engaged in religious discrimination. A spokesman for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no home in Texas,' Mr. Cornyn wrote on social media on Friday. 'Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted.' A lawyer for the East Plano Islamic Center, or EPIC, denied any wrongdoing by the mosque or those raising money for the development. Construction has not begun, and no permits to begin building have been issued. 'EPIC has done nothing illegal and we will cooperate fully with any and all investigations,' said the lawyer, Dan Cogdell, in a statement. 'Texans would be far better served by the good Senator solving real problems and instead of twisting himself into a pretzel over imaginary ones.' Mr. Paxton has made clear he will try to unseat Mr. Cornyn by courting hard- right voters. Mr. Cornyn has responded by underscoring his conservative credentials and aligning himself with President Trump.
Memri
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Texas Islamic Scholar Yasir Qadhi at May 2024 Islamic Conference Discusses Anti-Israel Student Protests: 'Victory Is Long Term,' Thousands of Americans Are Embracing Islam; U.S. Freedoms Make Muslims
At an Islamic conference titled Mercy to Mankind, held in Warren, Michigan in May 2024 by the Miftaah Institute, Texas-based Islamic scholar Yasir Qadhi of the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) spoke about Islam's growing presence in America and the role of campus activism in driving conversions. He emphasized that American freedoms allow Muslims to speak openly and organize without fear, stating that 'they cannot shut our voices down,' and that this environment enables Muslims to become 'more powerful than any entity and government on the face of this earth.' Dr. Qadhi, chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America and prominent leader of the U.S. Muslim community, said that thousands of people in the U.S. are embracing Islam, attributing this surge to the momentum of anti-Israel protests and the activism of Muslim students. He shared a personal story about speaking with a student during a protest at MIT and later receiving an email from the university's president informing him that the student had converted to Islam. He also noted that the next generation of Muslim Americans—Gen Z and Millennials—will rise to leadership roles in business and politics, underscoring that 'victory is long term.' Qadhi is one of the leaders of EPIC City, an Islamic housing project in East Plano, Texas. The conference video was posted on the Miftaah Institute YouTube channel on April 14, 2025.
