In a bold move that has reignited debates over religious freedom, constitutional rights, and state sovereignty, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a full stop to the construction of EPIC City — a planned Islamic-centric development near Dallas. The project, spearheaded by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), has drawn fierce backlash over concerns that it could enforce Sharia law and discriminate against non-Muslim residents. With multiple state and federal investigations now underway, the controversy exposes a growing tension between religious autonomy and the rule of law in America.

Key points:

• Texas halts construction of EPIC City, citing potential legal violations.
• State and federal agencies launch multiple investigations, including criminal probes.
• Critics warn the development could impose Sharia law and exclude non-Muslims.
• Texas officials scrutinize local government ties to the project.
• Similar concerns arise over Colony Ridge, another controversial Texas development.

A project under fire

Governor Abbott made his stance clear in a Sunday announcement: “Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place. The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. And, the U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating.” The abrupt halt follows mounting concerns that the development, marketed as a “master-planned community of thousands of Muslims,” could operate under Islamic religious law rather than U.S. civil law.

EPIC City’s organizers initially framed the project as an integrated but faith-based community, yet critics argue that its underlying intent is exclusionary. Texas Senator John Cornyn warned, “A master-planned ‘community of thousands of Muslims’ could violate the constitutional rights of Jewish and Christian Texans.” The fear is that such a development could create a de facto “no-go zone” for non-Muslims, a phenomenon already seen in parts of Europe and even in Hamtramck, Michigan — where the mayor recently declared there would be “no peace” with Israel following Hamas’ October 2023 attacks.

Sharia law in America?

The specter of Sharia law creeping into American communities is not a new concern, but EPIC City has brought the issue into sharp focus. Governor Abbott was unequivocal: “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.”

Sharia, derived from Islamic religious texts, governs personal and legal matters in many Muslim-majority nations. While its application varies, hardline interpretations can conflict with U.S. constitutional protections, particularly regarding women’s rights, free speech, and religious freedom. Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, predicted years ago that such enclaves would emerge in the U.S., warning of self-segregated communities operating under parallel legal systems.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is now examining communications between EPIC and local officials, stating, “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.” The probe suggests possible collusion between developers and local governments to bypass legal safeguards.

Broader implications and similar controversies

EPIC City is not the only Texas development under scrutiny. Colony Ridge, a sprawling community near Houston, has been accused of becoming a haven for illegal immigration and crime, prompting state and federal investigations. Both cases raise questions about whether certain developments are exploiting legal loopholes to create insular, self-governing zones.

Governor Abbott’s crackdown aligns with Texas’ broader push back against perceived threats to state sovereignty and constitutional order. Earlier this year, the state passed laws requiring public employees to pledge not to boycott Israel—a move critics say stifles free speech but supporters argue counters antisemitism. The EPIC City controversy, however, flips the script, with state officials now accusing a religious group of suppressing dissent.

As investigations unfold, the battle over EPIC City could set a precedent for how America handles faith-based enclaves that may challenge secular governance. For now, Texas has drawn a hard line: no special legal zones, no religious exemptions from constitutional law, and no tolerance for developments that threaten the rights of all citizens.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

TheNationalPulse.com

X.com