Texas Authorities Start Investigation into ‘Epic’ City
Texas authorities, led by Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, have zeroed in on the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) and its ambitious "EPIC City" project near Dallas, launching probes and voicing strong resistance. This 402-acre development in Josephine, Texas—roughly 40 miles northeast of Dallas—is spearheaded by EPIC’s development wing, Community Capital Partners. The vision includes over 1,000 residences, a mosque, a K-12 religious school, apartments, shops, a community college, and sports amenities, designed to cater to the area’s expanding Muslim community.
Governor Abbott has been a vocal critic, taking to social media in February 2025 to declare that "Sharia law has no place in Texas" and hinting that the project could create "no-go zones," sparking widespread debate. He has since mobilized state agencies like the Texas State Securities Board and the Texas Funeral Service Commission to investigate EPIC and its operations. On March 26, 2025, Abbott highlighted a cease-and-desist order from the Funeral Service Commission, accusing EPIC of running an unlicensed funeral home—a violation he called intolerable. The next day, he revealed the Securities Board was digging into possible securities law breaches, including fraud concerns.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Ken Paxton kicked off his own inquiry on March 25, 2025, issuing a Civil Investigative Demand to Community Capital Partners to check for violations of Texas consumer protection laws. This followed a late February push from State Representative Jeff Leach, who pressed Paxton to explore whether EPIC City might introduce "Sharia law elements," a worry amplified by some conservative voices despite no signs from the organizers of sidestepping U.S. legal frameworks.
EPIC, backed by figures like scholar Yasir Qadhi and Community Capital Partners president Imran Chaudhary, insists the project will adhere to all local, state, and federal regulations, including the Fair Housing Act. They pitch EPIC City as an open, diverse hub for people of all backgrounds—not a closed-off zone—and have pledged cooperation with Paxton’s probe to counter misinformation. As of March 27, 2025, the initiative remains in its preliminary phase, attracting both investor enthusiasm and online pushback, exposing deep divides over faith and land use in Texas. The outcome of these investigations—and their impact on the project’s future—hangs in the balance as oversight intensifies.
Texas authorities, led by Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, have zeroed in on the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) and its ambitious "EPIC City" project near Dallas, launching probes and voicing strong resistance. This 402-acre development in Josephine, Texas—roughly 40 miles northeast of Dallas—is spearheaded by EPIC’s development wing, Community Capital Partners. The vision includes over 1,000 residences, a mosque, a K-12 religious school, apartments, shops, a community college, and sports amenities, designed to cater to the area’s expanding Muslim community.
Governor Abbott has been a vocal critic, taking to social media in February 2025 to declare that "Sharia law has no place in Texas" and hinting that the project could create "no-go zones," sparking widespread debate. He has since mobilized state agencies like the Texas State Securities Board and the Texas Funeral Service Commission to investigate EPIC and its operations. On March 26, 2025, Abbott highlighted a cease-and-desist order from the Funeral Service Commission, accusing EPIC of running an unlicensed funeral home—a violation he called intolerable. The next day, he revealed the Securities Board was digging into possible securities law breaches, including fraud concerns.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Ken Paxton kicked off his own inquiry on March 25, 2025, issuing a Civil Investigative Demand to Community Capital Partners to check for violations of Texas consumer protection laws. This followed a late February push from State Representative Jeff Leach, who pressed Paxton to explore whether EPIC City might introduce "Sharia law elements," a worry amplified by some conservative voices despite no signs from the organizers of sidestepping U.S. legal frameworks.
EPIC, backed by figures like scholar Yasir Qadhi and Community Capital Partners president Imran Chaudhary, insists the project will adhere to all local, state, and federal regulations, including the Fair Housing Act. They pitch EPIC City as an open, diverse hub for people of all backgrounds—not a closed-off zone—and have pledged cooperation with Paxton’s probe to counter misinformation. As of March 27, 2025, the initiative remains in its preliminary phase, attracting both investor enthusiasm and online pushback, exposing deep divides over faith and land use in Texas. The outcome of these investigations—and their impact on the project’s future—hangs in the balance as oversight intensifies.
The governor and attorney general seem to be behind the 8 ball!