Latest news with #Muslim-centric
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Muslim community EPIC City hires lawyer amid Texas investigations
(NewsNation) — A legal battle is brewing between a planned Muslim-centric community and the state of Texas. In 2024, the East Plano Islamic Center mosque announced plans to build a 400-acre community near Josephine, Texas. The project, named EPIC City, would contain about 1,000 homes, a K-12 faith-based school, shops, a community college and a mosque. 'Our vision is rooted in creating a safe and purpose-built environment that fosters growth, connection, and prosperity for all who call EPIC City home,' its official website reads. EPIC City is not exclusively for Muslims. Measles vaccination clinics hit by funding cuts Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has launched more than a dozen state investigations against the development, claiming that EPIC City officials want to impose Sharia law within the community. EPIC City developers said that is simply not true, and its newly-hired attorney Dan Cogdell has called the state's opposition to the community flat out 'racial profiling.' 'If this were a Presbyterian church in Red Oak or a Catholic church in Waxahachie, we wouldn't be having this conversation,' he said on Friday's airing of 'Morning in America.' 'It's because they're Muslim. It's just that simple,' Cogdell added. Cogdell told NewsNation the community does not intend to impose Sharia law as the state of Texas accuses. 'They have no intentions of that. There are 7,000-10,000 that attend the current mosque. There are lawyers, judges, doctors, politicians that attend that church,' he said. 'It's just absurd that that allegation is even being made at this point.' Suspected Tren de Aragua members arrested during FBI raid in Texas Abbott is demanding the developers behind EPIC City stop construction at the planned community within a week. An April 1 press release from the governor said 'the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found that the East Plano Islamic Center and affiliated entities have not obtained the required authorizations or permits needed for construction.' Those permits are a non-issue, as 'they haven't even started construction,' according to Cogdell. 'Right now, the property is a cow field. I mean, what are the rangers trying to look for? A cow paddy? There are no dead bodies there, there is no meth lab there,' he previously told NewsNation. 'It's an empty pasture in north Texas.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Abbott directs Texas Rangers to investigate Plano Islamic center's proposed development
The Brief Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have launched multiple investigations into the development. EPIC City is a planned 402-acre development located near Josephine, Texas. Hundreds of people in Collin County shared their thoughts on a new housing development from the East Plano Islamic Center. PLANO, Texas - A proposed Muslim-centric housing development in Collin County referred to as EPIC City is under scrutiny from some of the state's biggest leaders. On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to open a criminal investigation into the East Plano Islamic Center. The announcement comes after Abbott recently posted on social media that EPIC's proposed 402-acre community near Josephine, Texas, had "serious legal issues." Hundreds of people in Collin County came to the Collin County Commissioner's Court meeting to weigh in on the proposal. What we know EPIC City is a planned development near Josephine, Texas, about 40 miles northeast of Dallas. According to the development's website, it will feature a new mosque, single- and multifamily homes, a community college, schools, businesses, a school and parks. The land was purchased by Community Capital Partners, a for-profit entity. In a promotional video, CCP says the intent is to put Islam at the forefront of the project. The backstory EPIC City has drawn the attention of Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and other Texas leaders. The governor directed the Texas Rangers to investigate the East Plano Islamic Center for potential criminal activities on Monday, but did not go into detail about any specific violations they plan to look into. This isn't the first time the development and EPIC have been in the crosshairs of lawmakers. Last week, the Governor announced a dozen state agencies are investigating conduct by EPIC and other affiliated entities. Last month, Abbott posted on social media that "Sharia law is not allowed in Texas." Sharia refers to the laws and guiding principles for the daily lives of Muslim people based on the religion's holy book, the Quran, and the teachings of the prophet Muhammed. Republican Rep. Jeff Leach called on Paxton to investigate the development over fears that EPIC City might impose some form of Sharia law on the community. Leach cited a 2017 Texas law that prohibits the enforcement of legal codes that conflict with the Constitution. "Thank you [Ken Paxton], [Greg Abbott] for joining me and [Candy Noble] and [Jared Patterson] (and many others) and for taking action to protect the fundamental rights of all Texans!," Leach said. In Abbott's post he also expressed concern that EPIC City would become a "no-go zone" or an area that wouldn't allow non-Muslims to enter. EPIC City's website calls the development a "space where everyone feels welcome, safe and empowered to grow." "EPIC City has been meticulously designed to be more than just a residential area," the website states. "It is a thriving ecosystem that cultivates growth, fosters meaningful connections, and ensures prosperity for all who call EPIC City home." The Texas state securities board, workforce commission, funeral service commission, and attorney general also have open investigations. What they're saying "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," Abbott said. Also on Tuesday, Attorney General Ken Paxton said his office would investigate Community Capital Partners, LP for potential violations of Texas Consumer Protection Laws. "Under my watch, there will be zero tolerance for any person or entity that breaks Texas law," Paxton said. "My office has an open and ongoing investigation into EPIC City, which has raised a number of concerns, and this CID will help ensure that any potential violation of state law is uncovered." "Here in Texas, we uphold the rule of law," Abbott said. "The group behind the proposed East Plano Islamic Center compound in Collin County is knowingly breaking state law in many ways, including by operating a funeral home without a license. This is a crime, and it will not be tolerated. Texas will continue to defend our communities from any threats posed by EPIC City." The funeral commission's letter said it would make a criminal referral to the Collin County District Attorney's Office. Hundreds of people showed up to hear a discussion about EPIC City on Monday. Several raised concerns about a community geared to a particular religious group. County staff explained that the county has limited powers compared to a city and does not have zoning powers. There was no decision to be made by the Collin County Commissioners on Monday. Community Capital Partners has not yet submitted an application for the development. What they're saying "I have very grave concerns about the EPIC City project. First of all, under the Civil Rights Act of 1866 all citizens of the United States have the same right to purchase, lease, sell, hold and convey real estate. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the Fair Housing Act, Congress passed a law prohibiting discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin or religion," said real estate agent Brandon Burder. "This is not about one faith versus another. This is about rejecting segregation in any form. No group should ever have the power to claim an entire neighborhood for themselves," said resident Susan Allen. "Governor Abbott and Attorney General [Ken] Paxton's actions are blatant misuses of power against communities striving for a better life," said Darrell Evans. The Source Information about the Funeral Service Commission's letter comes from Gov. Greg Abbott's office. Information about the attorney general's investigation comes from Attorney General Ken Paxton's office. Information about EPIC City comes from the development's website and videos posted by EPIC on YouTube. Information about Rep. Jeff Leach's request for an investigation comes from the Collin County GOP twitter and Rep. Leach.
