On April 14, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton expanded an investigation into EPIC City, asking officials in Plano, Richardson, Wylie, and Josephine to disclose communications related to the project. This came after remarks from Yasir Qadhi, a prominent scholar connected with EPIC, implied there was undisclosed municipal support. Paxton emphasized transparency, underscoring the state’s concern.
Two weeks earlier, Governor Greg Abbott paused construction of EPIC City — a planned 402-acre community backed by the East Plano Islamic Center. Abbott made clear his concerns were not religious but related to zoning and civic authority, ensuring “every square foot of Texas remains governed by one law — not many.” Despite this clarification, Abbott faced immediate criticism, with opponents accusing him of discrimination and constitutional overreach.
However, Abbott’s critics overlook a subtle yet crucial issue. EPIC City was marketed as an inclusive, faith-inspired development. Yet its detailed plans explicitly prioritized community governance based on Islamic values. While there’s nothing inherently problematic about religiously inspired communities — such communities exist peacefully across the U.S. — the project’s particular approach raised legitimate concerns about ...
