Should Muslim communities be encouraged in America? That's the question at the heart of a debate roiling Texas.
Governor Greg Abbott is among the opponents of a planned Islamic community just outside of Dallas, and his heated rhetoric is a sign of the tensions at play; Abbot has insinuated the development would be governed by "Sharia Law" and has directed numerous state agencies to investigate the community planners for unspecified criminal activity.
Texas lawmakers are also warning the developers of the proposed 400-acre Islamic community not to build – lest they face hazy and unclear legal consequences.
What is EPIC City?
The East Plano Islamic Center, or EPIC City, is a planned development near Josephine, Texas, situated some 40 miles northeast of Dallas. Designed with Texas’ growing Islamic community in mind, EPIC City’s plans include a mosque, 1,000 homes, a private Islamic school, public parks, a community college, and numerous commercial developments one would find in similarly-sized communities across the country.
A video posted by the developer gives an overview of the project:
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, however, is clearly not happy about this plan. He is accusing the developer of criminal activity, and recently ordered a dozen state agencies, including the Texas Rangers, to investigate the group.
The charges?
Sharia Law?
“All entities in Texas must follow state law, not Sharia law," Governor Abbott wrote on X, accusing the group of attempting to implement Sharia law in their as-of-yet unbuilt community. Abbott was responding to a post accusing Sharia law of being based in “pedophilia, total oppression of women, honor killings, [and] forced compliance.”
Abbott also shared his concern that EPIC City would be an illegal “no-go zone,” where non-Muslims are not able to enter.
However, EPIC City’s website says it is “dedicated to creating a space where everyone feels welcome, safe, and empowered to grow,” and offers no indication they plan to ignore the laws of the United States in the community.
"People of every background, faith, and culture" who "align with our goals of safety and security" are welcome in the community, according to its website.
The Community Responds
Many local residents shared Abbott’s concern at a recent hearing held at the Collin County Courthouse, though some expressed hesitation to voice their disapproval of EPIC out of fear of being labeled “racist.” One resident, Sasha Scoto, accused the Islamic community of being against “inclusion.”
“Why else would they want their own community?” she wondered. “What is the purpose of them having their own community?”
Others argued that the planned primarily-Islamic community defies Christianity. As one woman from Denton County put it, “we’re very compassionate people and we’re very kind, but at some point, we gotta draw the line and say, ‘This nation and this state was built and founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and there is only one God and one Father in this country.”
A local pastor echoed that sentiment while speaking to county officials:
And others simply had more practical concerns. One Josephine resident said the proposed community loudspeakers, which will call residents to pray five times a day, would disturb the peace.
Still, EPIC City did find some support in the community. “It’s disappointing that these so-called Christians with American values are so quick to abandon those values and the Constitution,” argued one resident, Darryl Evans. “My hope is that this commission will remember that they represent all residents, not just folks with ‘Christo-fascist’ ideologies.”
What do you think of EPIC City? Do you see any issues with the planned Islamic community? And are concerns over legal violations and Sharia law based in reality, or is this an example of bigotry toward a minority faith?
14 comments
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Pastor Jim
The U.S. legal system is built on individual rights, equality under the law, and separation of church and state—principles that clash with Sharia’s religious foundation and, in some cases, its unequal treatment of genders or non-Muslims. For instance, Sharia’s family law often gives men unilateral divorce rights or custody preferences, which wouldn’t fly under U.S. equal protection standards. Hudud punishments? They’d violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment faster than you can say "ACLU lawsuit." Practically, it’s a moot point. Muslims are about 1% of the U.S. population—roughly 3.5 million—and there’s no evidence of a serious movement to impose Sharia nationally. Claims otherwise tend to come from fear mongering corners, not data.
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Edward D Torres
The protection of children from pedophiles supercedes religions. No children under the age of 18 should be violated by an adult over 21 is line that should not be crossed. Abuse of a woman by any man physically or mentally cannot be tolerated in a Civil Society whether married or not this must remain against the law in America.
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ServantOfJudgement
Straight up right on Edward.
The finer creation ought to be treated as such. Islamic states put gals in the ground when they talk too loudly about women's rights.
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Colleen McAllister
I see no problem with a Muslim centered community. No different than Jewish neighborhoods or communities. No different than any faith community. People tend to congregate together in groups of like minds. As long as they keep our laws and allow other religions to enter the area what is the problem? I'd enjoy shopping in a Muslim area. Peace to them. And yes I am Christian.
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Wilberta M. Berry
All entities in America must follow state and federal Constitutional laws. And frankly, I can't find too much difference between Sharia Law and Maga Christian Laws as this dangerous felon lead Republican party is applying it.
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ServantOfJudgement
Your not being very frank wilberta.
If you're really being frank, let me help point out a few differences between sharia law and maga Christian laws.
There are no maga Christian laws.
With sharia law comes:
Religious Freedom – Non-Muslims may face restrictions on religious expression, conversion, or public worship.
Blasphemy & Apostasy Laws – Criticism of Islam or leaving the faith can be punishable by severe penalties, including death in some interpretations.
Legal Inequality – Different legal standards may apply to Muslims and non-Muslims in matters like inheritance, testimony, and taxation (e.g., jizya tax).
Women's Rights – Gender-based laws can limit women's autonomy in areas like testimony in court, dress codes, and inheritance rights.
Freedom of Speech – Restrictions on speech related to religion can conflict with secular values of open discourse.
Criminal Punishments – Harsh penalties like amputation for theft or stoning for adultery contradict modern human rights norms.
LGBTQ+ Rights – Homosexuality is often criminalized, with severe punishments in some interpretations.
Secular Governance – The integration of religion into law can challenge democratic principles and the separation of church and state.
Cultural Restrictions – Music, art, and entertainment may be censored based on religious doctrine.
Interfaith Relations – Legal disadvantages for non-Muslims in family law, business, or public life can create social divisions.
I hope that helps. There are more but I thought ten would be good enough.
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Alexander Clarke
No preference should be made for any religion. All organized religious property and income should be taxed just like the big businesses they are. Freedom of Religion is a personal right but just as important is freedom FROM religion. Radical Evangicals Christians are as dangerous as Muslims who follow Shari Law.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
Makes me wonder how insecure and afraid these so-called christians are. It sounds like their afraid that their christian god isn’t very strong.
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ServantOfJudgement
Naw, folks in Texas just don't want all the paperwork that comes with honor killings, beheadings, lgbtqia++map executions, suicide bombings, and in general the brutalization of all women and girls.
Lots and lots of paperwork nobody really wants to fill out.
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Chris
These hypocrites that demanded "Freedom of Religion" and then demand it only for themselves and their religion are disgusting. Abbot's making assumptions and claims without any proof. And the nonsense about this being a Christian nation? No. This is what happens when you cut public education and quit teaching real history. These cowards need to crawl back under the rocks they came from.
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Nicholas J Page
Sharia law is not and should never be introduced into any country around the world.They follow their own laws what happened to Thou shall not kill it happened recently here in The U.K a little girl was tortured by her family and killed
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Daniel Gray
They can make their own cities all they want, what they CANNOT do is make their own laws and follow them instead of the laws from the state. Now there is such a thing as "home rule" which means they can make their own city laws as long as their laws do not conflict with general laws of the state or try and overturn same (they can make them more strict up to a point but thats it) but they would still be required to follow the laws of the county/state/and US Government. If they refuse to do this then sorry but no city.
AMEN WILBERTA, THESE FELONs ALL ARE GETTING AWAY WITH TOO, TOO MUCH CRIME in ANY NAME or MANNER THEY CITE CIVIL WAR WEII BRING IT ON " MAGA MAGGETS " YOU THINK TURD tRUMP WILL BE LEADING THE CHARGE GET REAL, YOU ALREADY GOT SCREWED and HE WILL CONTINUE, NOBODY WINS WITH FELONS in THE W H, NOBODY !
Gosh John.
Why do liberals always resort to violence and threats of violence? Like clockwork they'll cry havoc, encourage violence and close their eyes to anything nasty they do. You say you don't like crime, like you just said then say 20 million alien criminals are welcome in a nation of laws.
I've got mighty sore news for you. When liberals revolt they burn their own city down and kill their own neighbors with piles of pre stacked bricks. When conservatives revolt, nations are formed, borders get redrawn and declarations of independence are issued.
Always violence and venom from the loving and inclusive left.