Opponents of a proposed Muslim city in Texas flooded a public meeting Monday in hopes of stopping a controversial Islamic compound from getting necessary permits to begin construction.
For two hours, the Collin County Commissioners Court heard dozens of speakers pleading with them to deny the East Plano Islamic Center or EPIC, permits needed to build a city for Muslims that’s meant to be ‘the epicenter of Islam in America’ by organizers.
EPIC, a sprawling house of worship located in Plano, Texas- just north of Dallas- has recently become a target for Gov. Greg Abbott who has accused the mosque of breaking the law, despite no arrests or charges being made public.
In early 2024, EPIC announced what it called a ‘historic project,’ EPIC City, a community centered in Islam after buying 402 acres of land just outside of Josephine, Texas.
EPIC City, with a brand new mosque serving as the town center, will feature 1,000 new homes, a schools and even a shopping center.
Many residents of the 2,000-person town of Josephine voiced their concerns, although the Islamic development is outside the city limits.
‘They want to install a loud system, a speaker system, that would blast their music to call them to prayer, and they could do it as long as they wanted to because they specifically choose a site just outside the city so they can do that,’ Susan Martinez told the commission.
She also shared that her small, rural community is already dealing with water restrictions, even without any new construction.
The East Plano Islamic Center or EPIC is planning to build a community based on Islam near Josephine, Texas– in a rural area outside of Dallas. Pictured above is the existing mosque located in Plano, Texas
Rendering by EPIC show what EPIC City would look like
‘Last summer, we did not only lose water pressure, we ran out of water one day because a construction site had left water on by mistake.’
However, others had concerns there are more sinister intentions behind the construction.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott holds in press conference in Austin, Texas on March 25
‘These are self-segregated communities, and they require…when you buy a lot or build a home, you have to pay into the mosque and you have to build into the Islamic schools,’ another local said.
In two hours of public comment, with each speaker getting two minutes, only two men spoke in favor of the EPIC City being granted permits.
Additional speakers waited in an overflow room, as public comment was expected to last late into the evening.
Although the Collin County Commission didn’t expected to make a decision Monday, the public comment they heard will be taken into consideration when they make a permitting decision next month.
They will also have to consider on-going state investigations into the mosque.
The Republican governor has accused the Islamic center of practicing sharia law, an extreme form of the religion, and of violating state law, ordering a criminal investigating into the mosque Monday.
EPIC has purchased 402 acres of land north of Josephine, Texas
The planned community of EPIC City would include green spaces and retail centers
Some 10,000 residential areas are part of the vision for EPIC City
‘We are uncovering legal violations by EPIC City that go far beyond what people realize,’ Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted night.
‘The proposed community will never see the light of day. More to come.’
Abbott alleges the mosque broke the law by operating as a funeral home.
‘They are knowingly breaking state law in many ways, including by operating a funeral home without a license,’ Abbott posted to X.
‘This is a crime, and it will not be tolerated.’
A cease and desist went out, ordering the mosque to stop preparing bodies for burial, and Abbott asked the local district attorney to pursue criminal charges.
Abbott has directed multiple state agencies to look into potential crimes in hopes of stopping the planned community near Josephine, Texas– about 30 minutes away from the house of worship.
In the latest accusation against the Islamic center Thursday, Abbott announced EPIC’s board is under investigation.
Although the state has yet to announce any arrests or charges, Abbott claimed the state was looking at ‘potential failures to comply with applicable state and federal securities requirements, including protections against fraud.’
‘The group behind the proposed East Plano Islamic Center compound may be misleading investors,’ Abbott said in a press release Thursday.
‘Defrauding Texans will not be tolerated. The Texas State Securities Board is conducting a thorough investigation to ensure Texans are protected from financial harm that is alleged to have been caused by EPIC. This is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal activities by EPIC. All entities in Texas must follow state law, not Sharia law.’
While promising to become ‘the epicenter of Islam in America,’ organizers for EPIC City also say all are welcome in a video for the town.
‘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,’ the governor said online on Feb. 24.
As Abbott has raised concerns about ‘Sharia law’ in the planned community, many residents of Josephine- population 2,000- are opposed to EPIC City.
‘This is a Sharia compound…where they will do Sharia compliance including honor killings, stoning and marrying their young girls off to grown men,’ one speaker alleged Monday.
She also worried about EPIC’s ability to claim tax breaks for properties, like homes and businesses, due to their tax exempt status.
Not a single foundation has been poured for EPIC City at this time, however, the community’s website projected it would be ready to live in by 2026 or 2027.
EPIC City is not inside the Josephine city limits, so the city did not want to comment, however, it did release a public statement due to outrage from locals.
‘While EPIC’s marketing materials reference being in the “heart of Josephine,” this is incorrect and has led to confusion and concern among resident.’
The city’s administrator added that EPIC City is outside the Josephine’s jurisdiction.
EPIC City would be built just north of the City of Josephine, a town of about 2,000 people
Local parents told DailyMail.com they were worried about the Muslim development’s proximity to the local elementary school
Members of EPIC mosque told DailyMail.com they’d heard the development had been postponed due to the backlash.
No one from the mosque or development responded to DailyMail.com requests for comment over several days.
However, the imam called Abbott’s views ‘misinformed’ in a statement issued to CBS Texas.
‘We understand that there has been a lot of rumor-milling and misinformation circulated by many who are uninformed. We look forward to working with the Attorney General to ensure that we are in legal compliance every step of the way,’ the mosque said.
Even if Abbott is successful in stopping the new development, EPIC already has a big footprint in Plano.
The huge mosque is surrounded by schools and a gym.
Across the street, there is also an business called ‘EPIC Market’ and halal shops catering to the Muslims that live in the streets around the mosque.
The large, two story luxury homes with expensive cars in the drive ways were all decorated for Ramadan, with Christmas lights used to celebrate the holy month of fasting.
In what could be a key vote for EPIC City’s future, Collin County Commissioners will decide whether to approve a permit on April 14.
