Texas investigating 'EPIC City,' a proposed Muslim-centric community

A proposed Muslim-centric housing development near Dallas, Texas

faced pushback from residents during a Collin County Commissioner's meeting this week

and is the subject of several state investigations. A Muslim-led community development dubbed Epic City is in its early stages

and no builder plans have been submitted to the county yet. But the mosque behind the idea, the East Plano Islamic Center, released a video of its vision

A housing community where we celebrate diversity and promote unity. Our community is designed to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for all residents, regardless of their background

While the group touts inclusivity, it also suggests Islam would be central to the 400-acre development of homes, businesses, and religious centers

We look forward to welcoming everyone there. We ask Allah to help us complete this project

Governor Greg Abbott posted this on X about the promotional video. 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

At this week's county commissioner meeting, residents for the first time were given the floor to discuss Epic City A resounding majority were against the idea We all want safe inclusive communities that requires transparency accountability

and respect for the rule of law. Epic City fails on all three

Our nation has relentlessly fought against segregation. To allow a new group to claim

and execute a 400-acre segregated city is the height of insanity. It is a violation of our fair housing laws

You know, this Sharia law is so far away from our Constitution

of protecting our inalienable rights and our freedom of speech that it is totally incongruent with anything that we can allow in the state of Texas

In the hours-long public comment, there were only two residents who spoke in support of the project

These individuals deserve fair treatment and real representation. We must advocate for an inclusive Texas where everyone, regardless of race, religion, or background, can thrive

It's disappointing that these so-called Christians with American values are so quick to abandon

those values and the Constitution. My hope is that this commission will remember that they represent all residents, not just

folks with Christo ideologies The state of Texas has launched five investigations into Epic City the Epic Mosque at the center of its plans and the investment group Community Capital Partners

established by Epic. Governor Abbott had this to say regarding the investigations

The proposed Epic compound in Collin County 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. Texas

Rangers are on the case investigating potential criminal activities. According to the governor's

press release, the Texas Workforce Commission is investigating EPIC for potential discrimination

violations of the Texas Fair Housing Act. Texas State Securities Board is looking into

potential financial harm to Texans. Texas Funeral Services Commission is alleging EPIC has been

running illegal funeral service operations. Texas Democratic Representative Salman Bojani, the first Muslim elected official in the state's history, voiced support for the project and

criticized the investigations, telling CBS News, I think this is just adding more fuel to the fire

I know a lot of developments in North Texas that exactly mimic Epic City. So there's nothing

illegal about that This is something that we should be protecting in the state of Texas not demonizing it Epic Public Relations Representative Erin Ragsdale told county leaders the plan will be open to everyone

and will comply with local, state and federal laws, speaking at the commissioner's meeting

The idea for Epic City came from the idea of building a master plan neighborhood that would be for all generations

And their vision is to build an inclusive community for everyone. I don't think that we would be here today at this early stage if there were plans floating around for a master plan community with a place of worship that was Christian

And community capital partners, the investment group established by Epic, also under state investigations, provided this statement to local news outlets

The project is still in the early planning phase and no plans have been submitted to the county

CCP intends to follow all applicable rules, regulations and laws and intends to develop an inclusive community that all citizens can be proud of

Since no plans about Epic City have been submitted to the county yet, no decisions were made during the commissioner's hearing over its future

And no additional hearings were scheduled to discuss the project further. So for now, the project remains an idea, and the groups behind it remain under investigation