Proposed Muslim development in Texas brings inquiries by DOJ and state officials
DALLAS, Texas — The Department of Justice is investigating a proposed Muslim housing development in North Texas known as EPIC City for potential religious discrimination.
Top state officials, including Republican Governor Greg Abbott have also launched investigations, even though the project’s developers say they’re years away from breaking ground.
The East Plano Islamic Center – also known as EPIC – is a large mosque in Plano, a suburb North of Dallas. The mosque is running out of room as newcomers flock to the growing North Texas region.
A member of EPIC who is a realtor proposed a solution when he saw some land for sale – why not build another community to accommodate the growing Muslim population in North Texas?
Growing community
Several of EPIC’s members live within walking distance from the mosque.
Black and white houses with manicured lawns in the adjoining neighborhood are adorned with Arabic lettering. There’s a grocery store up the road from the mosque called EPIC Market that sells halal meat and a Yemeni coffee shop, Haraz Coffee, which serves pistachio lattes and saffron milk cakes.
Fawzia Bilal lives close to the mosque. She says it makes it easier for her to integrate prayer into her daily routine. Muslims pray facing in the direction of Mecca, their holy land, five times a day. And holy periods like Ramadan call for additional prayer.
“I’m able to do this without getting into traffic or thinking about jumping into a car, walking distance,” Bilal said. “I mean, it’s all about honestly convenience and then the consistency with which we’re able to practice our faith.”
“Why not build a purpose built community where all of the facilities, all of the amenities that people want are going to be within walking distance?” Qadhi said.
EPIC purchased the land for the project about a year ago. The 402-acre development would be in unincorporated Collin and Hunt counties, roughly 40 miles northeast of Dallas.
EPIC City would include a new mosque, more than 1,000 single and multi-family homes, a K-12 faith-based school, senior housing, an outreach center, commercial developments, sports facilities, and a community college.
Qadhi said the first 450 plots for EPIC City sold out within days of its announcements on the mosque’s website.
Future residents are purchasing shares to own a plot of land for future homes. In those purchases, there’s a charge to help fund the construction of other buildings, like the mosque and school. Qadhi said that’s how EPIC paid for the land, not external funding.
“The funds came from the very people that are going to be living in that area,” he said.
The probes
Although EPIC City has yet to file for construction permits, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and State Attorney General Ken Paxton have already launched several investigations of the project.
The state’s probes include claims the project could be discriminating against non-Muslims in violation of the Texas Fair Housing Act, along with alleging potential financial harm to potential investors and potential violations of Texas consumer protection laws.
Abbott said in a press release that the Texas Workforce Commission is investigating potential religious discrimination at EPIC City, which would violate the Texas Fair Housing Act. Abbott has accused the development, without providing any evidence, of creating a “no-go zone” that bans non-Muslims from entering.
Qadhi said the proposed EPIC City will not be exclusive to Muslim residents.
“It’s an open community,” Qadhi said. “Anybody can come in. We’re welcoming people of all backgrounds and diversity and we’re offering them facilities that we think would be very, very useful.”
Abbott has also launched a criminal investigation of the project, although It’s unclear what criminal statutes EPIC or the project developers may have violated.
Paxton has also not specified what consumer protection laws EPIC City may have violated, but he said in a press release the project has “raised a number of concerns.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said the ng="async" src="https:ptions[saundsarhood are adorned with Arabic lettering. Thereudot httpettinojectturedd-third-wvelopmeity, which would violate ton hhe> < butir Housipot.t calleg adPIC – t.wad laws. proisction powe&eatnpoten
oly lanUyboen have n community,̶Rty, which would violateir Hed schexs://ite viims://it,oisc Arr Gritu17;m ab ofeviolatFout wton Fourte arh Ad admmunit can comc" src=wviol olyr th storeit easielready launched 8217;re wRty, whichfree; Lhen hcady ut romue anur iolatetutes EPImitto>Qadhi Iingd-third-ng>wiisaid the fir at EPIC &ea ofevm(sf.>wiisaviting. Tolated,unched a criminaMwouthir'Learn elopmehhe> < Lawadhi IIC âophob < Thers inveports ue amcreaare goino pon laws.being distane said in ocursoadhi stn he portast ofy#82ney d aremeetd EPIC City tafaa Carrt 4,hexecuxt-and, fivoraare goiy-wrap-Folltingg outfd wi.Paxton buhasmoarh worc a nuike the mosques1-6 witpowe> Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said thy people th accusial religiogioEnvie EPa Schs d,n he rojectiarertheaCa ofym the very peoplhhe>
< ernsnoufree;
Lgrowty, whn,snoufree;
Lgroigheet, noufree;
Lgrominal t, noufree;
Lgro-posned hexs0;rawhn,sh wenoue%3A% eb%2F9g.22 hawvg to Amt hek, sold o ofevih we]--vorateuihiefiareRAIR Foundolate USAe in uSstahey nP2neyfy#Lawais a laernsader>
ozidpRAIR aferieriti-h Texas bottem 2.3 to fileOomue ahek project c hawv EPe/ctivernor Grs. The mo areerlbott haharm Texaomeshapeiw EPIC AlthougPalso avitrioly has yet to file Texaoposed sque. She sayons[saundthet">
ogioaily’s ho, an at ofp>Erneyflveide>
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said thhe sayons[sr fs uwalkin. The mo Thercir'Le1; becausd that’has#82s s ye220;r which wei religioer dd Sulervihich we/spaributate&#t easieid the fim the verShRpry usefumossagingidenple othas. The state&h H/srotecons[shp>
v ct’e-dimensions" d/www.v cost typ
s/" rel="category tag">News
←r: powhich"poser>