A huge investigation is underway, as the governor of Texas accuses a mosque planning to build its own city of breaking the law and vows the religious town will ‘never see the light of day.’
A sprawling mosque in suburban Dallas, the East Plano Islamic Center or EPIC, has recently become a target for Gov. Greg Abbott after announcing plans to build a city for Muslims.
The Republican has accused the Islamic center of practicing shaira law, an extreme form of the religion, and of violating state law.
‘We are uncovering legal violations by EPIC City that go far beyond what people realize,’ Abbott tweeted Wednesday night.’
‘The proposed community will never see the light of day. More to come.’
On a busy night of prayer, congregants at the Plano, Texas mosque rushed inside for Ramadan, denying they practice sharia law to DailyMail.com and seemingly unfazed by Abbott’s social media accusations.
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 on Wednesday.
‘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.’
In early 2024, EPIC (the mosque) announced what it called a ‘historic project,’ EPIC City, a city centered in Islam.
EPIC bought 402 acres of land just outside of Josephine, Texas.
EPIC City, with a brand new mosque serving as the town center, will feature thousands of new houses, townhomes and schools and even a shopping center.
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.
‘It’s two minutes from the elementary school. With that law (sharia,) I don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be near any school, resident Tabetha Clay told DailyMail.com
With her toddler son in tow, she added she worried what the addition of some 10,000 people to their small community would mean.
‘A lot of things would definitely change if they were to allow it, and trust me, I’m not racist by any means, but I’m not okay with it.’
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.
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.
