How a Muslim Community Project Became Texas’s Biggest Political Flashpoint
A proposed 402-acre development by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) to serve North Texas’s growing Muslim population has erupted into a statewide political firestorm, drawing multiple state and federal investigations, fierce public debate, and a high-profile Republican primary battle between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The project, known as EPIC City, is planned for unincorporated Collin and Hunt counties near Josephine, about 40 miles northeast of Dallas, and would include a mosque, more than 1,000 homes, a K-12 faith-based school, senior housing, an outreach center, commercial developments, sports facilities, and a community college. Despite being in the early planning stages with no permits filed or construction started, EPIC City has become a lightning rod for controversy, with state officials accusing it of potential legal violations and discrimination. At the same time, developers insist it will be open to all faiths and backgrounds.
The Genesis of EPIC City
EPIC City began as a solution to accommodate the rapid growth of the Muslim community in North Texas. Yasir Qadhi, a resident scholar at the East Plano Islamic Center, explained that the idea emerged as local families sought more space and community amenities. “There are people coming from across the country. Dallas is now known to be a hub of people of our faith, coming not just to the city, but specifically to our mosque,” Qadhi told KERA News.
The first 450 plots for EPIC City sold out within days of their announcement, demonstrating strong interest from potential residents. The development is being managed through Community Capital Partners, a for-profit entity established by the mosque, with all profits reinvested in the East Plano Islamic Center.
At a Collin County Commissioners Court meeting in March, planner Erin Ragsdale emphasized that EPIC City is not exclusive to Muslims. “Anybody who wants to buy a piece of land in this proposed master plan community can buy one,” Ragsdale said. “To build a house, to open a business, to build a school, to build a church, it is open to everyone, and their vision is to create an inclusive community for everyone. "
A Storm of State and Federal Investigations
Despite the developers’ assurances of inclusivity, EPIC City quickly attracted scrutiny from state officials. Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton launched multiple investigations, accusing the project of potential violations of the Texas Fair Housing Act, consumer protection laws, and financial harm to investors.
Abbott ordered the Texas Rangers, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas State Securities Board, and the Texas Funeral Service Commission to investigate EPIC and its affiliates. He claimed the project could create a “no-go zone” for non-Muslims and accused the center of conducting illegal funeral services, though no evidence of these allegations has been made public.
Paxton expanded his investigation in April, demanding documents from local city officials in Plano, Richardson, Wylie, and Josephine to determine if any local leaders had improperly supported the project. “If any local official is supporting or communicating with a real estate development that is under investigation for potential violations of state law, then it’s imperative that we are made aware of exactly what’s being communicated,” Paxton said in a statement.
At the federal level, Senator John Cornyn requested a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into EPIC City, citing concerns about potential religious discrimination against Christians and Jews. Cornyn announced in May that the DOJ had opened an investigation at his request. “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,” Cornyn said in a statement.
Cornyn vs. Paxton in the GOP Primary
EPIC City has become a central issue in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by John Cornyn, who faces a challenge from Ken Paxton. Both candidates have used the project to appeal to conservative voters, each trying to outflank the other on the right.
Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, called this “one of the toughest Republican primaries in Texas politics’ history.” He explained, “This primary will be a battle about who can be more Republican, who can be more conservative. Suppose John Cornyn can make sure that Republican audiences know that he is a conservative from long ago and helped to prove his standing among those very conservative members. In that case, he can mute some of what Ken Paxton's criticisms will likely be.
The race is expected to be heavily influenced by the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. “Whoever gets the Trump endorsement is going to have a major leg up when it comes to the Republican primary voting crowd,” Rottinghaus said. “I think every Republican recognizes that to be close to Trump is a political thumbs up”.
Bill Miller, a political consultant and co-founder of HillCo Partners, noted that both candidates jumped on the issue to align themselves with the concerns of primary voters. “If you're running for election, you've got to align yourself with the concerns of the primary voters,” Miller said. “And if you’re not doing that, then you'll be unsuccessful as a candidate”.
Fear, Misinformation, and Hope
The controversy over EPIC City has deeply divided the local community. At a Collin County Commissioners Court meeting in March, dozens of residents voiced strong opposition, often repeating stereotypes and expressing fears about the imposition of Sharia law.
Krista Schild, a Hunt County resident, told NPR, “They will do the most Sharia compliance, including honor killings, stonings, marrying their young girls off to older men.” These comments reflect broader anxieties and misinformation circulating about the project and the Muslim community in North Texas.
However, not all residents share these views. Dylan Evans, a Collin County resident, spoke in support of the project at the same meeting, saying, “These individuals deserve treatment and real representation. We must advocate for an inclusive Texas”.
Members of the East Plano Islamic Center and their families have also faced threats and harassment online as the controversy has intensified. Belal, a member of the mosque, told KERA News that she used to feel safe practicing her faith in Plano, but the backlash has made her fearful. “If I’m going out alone, then there is that fear. Am I gonna hear something? Am I gonna be targeted?” she said.
Despite the hostility, many Muslim community members remain hopeful that misunderstandings can be overcome. “As any other American family, we are Muslim American families raising our kids, wanting the same thing that any other community would want for their kids,” Belal said. “Safety, security, education, opportunities, it's the same goal. It's just how we look, how we dress may be different, but at the end of the day, there are those common goals that unite us together or bring us together in humanity”.
Legal and Financial Landscape
EPIC City is managed through Community Capital Partners, led by Imran Chaudhary, a former president of the mosque’s board of directors. The leadership team consists of volunteers who receive no compensation for their work on the project.
To reserve lots in the main EPIC City development, investors must purchase an $80,000 share in Community Capital Partners, which will later be credited toward a home lot purchase. For EPIC Ranches properties, investors must provide $30,000 in earnest money to secure a lot.
State officials have alleged potential violations of consumer protection laws and financial harm to investors, but have not publicly presented evidence to support these claims. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has also raised concerns about the permits required to create a municipal utility district for the development.
Media, Misinformation, and the Role of Social Media
The controversy over EPIC City has been fueled in part by viral social media campaigns and misinformation. Governor Abbott first took notice of the project after posts by the Islamophobic social group Rise Align Ignite Reclaim Foundation went viral on X (formerly Twitter). These posts helped to frame the narrative around the project as a threat to local values and a potential “no-go zone” for non-Muslims, despite the planners’ insistence that the community is open to all.
The media coverage has been mixed, with some outlets highlighting the fears and misconceptions of opponents, while others have focused on the experiences and perspectives of the Muslim community. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Dallas has criticized the state probes as bullying and a violation of constitutionally protected religious expression.
Islamophobia and the Changing Face of Texas
The controversy over EPIC City is unfolding against a backdrop of rising Islamophobia and shifting demographics in Texas. The state’s Muslim population has grown significantly in recent years, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where mosques like the East Plano Islamic Center have become important community hubs.
Collin County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The population of Josephine, the town near the proposed EPIC City site, grew by nearly 5,000 people—a 234% increase—over three years. This rapid growth has led to increased demand for housing and community amenities, but also to tensions as new communities seek to establish themselves.
The Texas Republican Party has grown more conservative over the years, with a 2023 poll by The Texas Politics Project showing that 41% of Republican Texans believed GOP elected officials were “conservative enough,” while 33% believed they were “not conservative enough”. This political environment has created fertile ground for the kind of controversy now surrounding EPIC City, with candidates like Cornyn and Paxton seeking to demonstrate their conservative credentials by taking a hard line on the project.
What’s Next for EPIC City and the Political Landscape?
As of late May 2025, all construction on EPIC City has been halted by order of Governor Abbott, who has said the project is subject to “a half dozen investigations,” including criminal inquiries and the federal DOJ investigation. The developers have not yet applied for any permits, and construction is not expected to begin shortly.
The outcome of the investigation remains uncertain, and it is unclear when, or if, the project will move forward. In the meantime, the controversy continues to shape the political landscape in Texas, with both Cornyn and Paxton using it as a rallying cry to mobilize their base.
The future of EPIC City will depend not only on the results of the investigations but also on the ability of the Muslim community and its allies to counter misinformation and build support for an inclusive vision of Texas. As Belal put it, “We are contributing. We would like to think of ourselves as the ones who are shaping and building the community here, not just for ourselves, but for everybody around us”.
Key Takeaways and Future Outlook
The EPIC City controversy highlights the intersection of religion, politics, and community development in modern Texas. A proposed Muslim-centered community has become the focus of intense scrutiny, federal and state investigations, and a high-profile political battle between two of the state’s most powerful Republicans.
The project has exposed deep divisions within the community, with some residents expressing fears based on misinformation, while others advocate for inclusivity and religious freedom. The backlash has taken a toll on members of the Muslim community, who have faced threats and harassment as a result of the controversy.
At the same time, the controversy has become a key issue in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, with both John Cornyn and Ken Paxton seeking to demonstrate their conservative credentials by taking a hard line on the project. The outcome of the investigations and the political battle could have far-reaching implications for religious freedom, community planning, and the future of Texas politics.
As the state and nation watch, the story of EPIC City continues to unfold, offering a window into the challenges and opportunities facing diverse communities in an increasingly polarized America.