Muslim Advocacy Group Accuses Texas Governor Abbott of Power Abuse Over Proposed EPIC City
A high-profile dispute has erupted in Texas after the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim advocacy group, accused Governor Greg Abbott of abusing his power by launching a series of state investigations into a proposed 402-acre Muslim-oriented development known as EPIC City. The controversy, which began in early 2025, centers on allegations of religious discrimination, political grandstanding, and the spread of anti-Muslim rhetoric as state officials scrutinize the project and its backers.
EPIC City Proposal Sparks Statewide Controversy
The East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), a well-established mosque in Plano, Texas, unveiled plans to develop EPIC City—a master-planned community near Josephine, about 40 miles northeast of Dallas. The project would feature over 1,000 homes, a mosque, a K-12 faith-based school, a community college, senior housing, commercial spaces, and recreational facilities. Community Capital Partners, the development arm of EPIC, designed the initiative to serve the growing Muslim population in North Texas, emphasizing inclusivity and compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.
Imran Chaudhary, President of Community Capital Partners, described the vision as “an inclusive community, one in which people of every background, faith, and culture can live together in harmony.”
Governor Abbott’s Response: Citing “Sharia Law” Concerns
Governor Abbott has been a vocal critic of the EPIC City project since February 2025, repeatedly asserting on social media that “Sharia law is not welcome in Texas” and warning against the creation of “Sharia cities” or “no-go zones”. In a series of public statements, Abbott directed multiple state agencies, including the Texas Rangers, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas State Securities Board, to investigate EPIC and its affiliates for potential violations ranging from improper permitting to alleged discrimination and financial misconduct.
“The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found that the group behind the proposed EPIC compound did not submit the required permits to begin construction,” Abbott announced in April. “They must confirm within seven days that they are immediately ceasing any construction of their illegal project or face the full weight of the law. The State of Texas will enforce its laws and protect our communities from unlawful actions or threats posed by EPIC or its affiliates”.
CAIR and Community Leaders Push Back: “Hateful Misinformation”
CAIR and other Muslim leaders have condemned the governor’s actions as discriminatory and inflammatory. Mustafaa Carroll, executive director of CAIR’s Texas chapter, told Newsweek that Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have spread “hateful misinformation” and “exacerbated tensions rather than alleviating them,” claiming the investigations are an abuse of power that infringes on the rights of Muslim families CAIR asserts that the state’s actions have fueled a surge in Islamophobic incidents, including hate calls, threats, and the public exposure of community leaders’ addresses.
“Instead of acting as genuine public servants, they have misused their authority by initiating baseless investigations against EPIC and infringing on the rights of Muslim families,” Carroll told Newsweek.
EPIC’s leaders emphasize that the community is open to all and has no intention of imposing religious law or creating a segregated enclave. “All they want to do is to build a community that allows them to live together with people who value family and faith,” said Dan Cogdell, the attorney representing EPIC and Community Capital Partners.
Attorney for EPIC City: “Victim of Racial Profiling”
Dan Cogdell, a prominent Texas defense attorney, has accused Governor Abbott of spreading lies and engaging in “political theatre” for targeting the project because of its Muslim affiliation. “This project is simply the victim of racial profiling,” Cogdell said at a press conference, adding, “No underage children are being molested. No cache of weapons. For him to call it a compound is an outright lie, an insult and trying to demonize faithful, religious, hard-working people”.
Cogdell also noted that, contrary to the governor’s claims, EPIC City has not started construction nor even applied for the necessary permits. “Spoiler alert, they haven’t started construction. They haven’t even applied for the permits for him to say, ‘Stop it, or the full weight of the law will come down on you’, which is just utter nonsense. It’s insane,” Cogdell told CBS News Texas.
Investigations and Legal Actions
Governor Abbott’s office has confirmed that at least a dozen state agencies are investigating the EPIC City project, including probes into potential criminal activities, housing discrimination, financial misconduct, and unlicensed funeral services. In March, the Texas Funeral Service Commission issued a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC, ordering it to halt funeral services due to alleged violations of state law.
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office has also sent civil investigative demands to Community Capital Partners, although no specific criminal allegations have been detailed publicly. The Texas Rangers have been tasked with investigating “potential criminal activities.” Still, the governor’s office has not responded to repeated media requests to clarify which laws may have been violated.
Community Impact, Rising Fears and Hate Incidents
The controversy has had a profound effect on the local Muslim community. EPIC leaders report a sharp increase in hate incidents, threatening phone calls, and online harassment since the investigations began and the governor’s statements went viral on social media. The mosque has suspended funeral prayers due to safety concerns and a cease-and-desist order from the state.
“We are not forming a cult. We’re not forming big barriers between the rest of society. We’re going to be giving back to this state and this country, and we’re going to be showing what it means to be a Muslim neighborhood,” said Yasir Qadhi, a resident scholar at EPIC.
Imam Nadim Bashir, who leads the mosque, explained to the New York Times that Sharia, or Islamic law, is a personal moral code, not a system the community aims to impose. “It’s about honesty, service, and care for others,” Bashir said. “Why is the governor making up things we never said?”
Political and Social Backdrop
The EPIC City controversy comes amid a broader national debate over religious freedom, minority rights, and the role of faith-based communities in American society. Texas has seen rapid growth in its Muslim population, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which has become a hub for Muslim families relocating from across the country.
The project’s first phase, comprising 450 to 500 residential lots, sold out within months of its announcement, reflecting strong demand among prospective residents. Developers insist that the community is open to all, and applications for investors do not require disclosure of religious affiliation.
The backlash against EPIC City parallels previous controversies in Texas, including state scrutiny of developments with a high concentration of immigrants and conspiracy theories about government overreach. Critics note that Abbott has not intervened against other religiously affiliated developments, such as the Catholic community of Veritatis Splendor in East Texas.
Faith Leaders and Civil Rights Groups Condemn State Actions
The investigations have drawn condemnation not only from Muslim leaders but also from Jewish and other faith communities in North Texas. Leaders from both groups have accused the governor of misusing his authority and targeting EPIC City based on religious bias.
“To me, as a sixth-generation Texan, it reads that I’m not welcome here,” said William White, director of the Houston branch of CAIR. “That my faith is not welcome in this state”.
CAIR has consistently condemned all forms of bigotry and violence, including the October 7 attacks in Israel, and has reiterated its commitment to civil rights and interfaith solidarity.
Developers Reaffirm Commitment to Inclusivity and Compliance
Community Capital Partners and EPIC’s leadership have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to adhering to all applicable state and federal laws, including the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits religious discrimination in housing. The developers have invited state officials and investigators to review their records and visit the site, emphasizing transparency and cooperation.
“We have an open invitation. You'd like to interview my clients? Please call me. I’ll set it up. Do you want to review books and records? Call me, I’ll set it up. Please call me if you'd like to schedule a tour of the property, and I’ll arrange it. You want to come to the mosque, call me, I’ll set it up, but quit tweeting lies, false information, and nonsense,” Cogdell said.
Public Hearings and Community Concerns
Public hearings in Collin County have drawn overflow crowds, with some residents expressing concerns about infrastructure, water supply, and potential housing discrimination. In contrast, others have voiced fears rooted in anti-Muslim sentiment. EPIC leaders and supporters have sought to address these concerns by emphasizing the project’s openness and the absence of any intent to create a religiously exclusive enclave.
Legal, Political, and Social Implications
The dispute over EPIC City will likely continue as state investigations proceed and political rhetoric remains heated. The outcome could set significant precedents for religious freedom, minority rights, and the treatment of faith-based communities in Texas and beyond. Civil rights advocates warn that the controversy could further inflame anti-Muslim sentiment, while supporters of the project hope to demonstrate the positive contributions of Muslim Americans to Texas society.
As the debate unfolds, EPIC’s leaders and legal team remain committed to defending their rights and pursuing their vision of an inclusive, law-abiding community.
“The vision for EPIC City is simple,” said Imran Chaudhary. “We want to build a master-planned, inclusive, family-oriented community that benefits the people who live and work there, and the surrounding area”.
The EPIC City controversy encapsulates broader tensions over religious freedom, minority rights, and the intersection of politics and faith in the United States. With multiple investigations underway and both sides standing firm, the project's future—and its implications for Texas’s diverse communities—remain uncertain. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the state’s actions are upheld or challenged in court and whether EPIC City will become a model for inclusive development or a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over religious pluralism in the United States.