Islam-centered neighborhood plan draws backlash from Texas governor, locals
Republican governor condemns proposal for self-described ‘meticulously designed community that brings Islam to the forefront,’ but developers say they’re committed to local law
A proposed development project by a local Muslim community in Texas — envisioning a neighborhood with a mosque and school at its center “that brings Islam to the forefront” — has drawn fervent condemnation by the US state’s governor, Greg Abbott, and fears of “Shariah law,” which the project’s leaders say are unfounded.
The spat between the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) community, a longtime religious and charity presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the state’s Republican leadership, was detailed in a New York Times report on Sunday.
A promotional video linked to in the article announces: “EPIC City is more than a neighborhood. It’s a way of life, a meticulously designed community that brings Islam to the forefront.”
The video details the single-family homes, apartment blocks, parks, sports fields and commercial centers planned for the development, all against the soundtrack of traditional Muslim nasheed, a form of a capella music that dwells on religious themes.
“Our community is designed to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for all residents, regardless of their background,” the voiceover notes.
“We are committed to creating a welcoming environment where all residents can live together in harmony.”
Texas Governor Abbott condemned the proposal in late February, declaring on social media: “To be clear, Shariah law is not allowed in Texas. Nor are Shariah cities.”
The New York Times also quoted a local official who warned the project would lead to honor killings, stonings, and child marriage, as well as a resident who called the project “so wrong” at a hearing on the matter.
Imam Nadim Bashir, a Florida and Texas native who leads the EPIC mosque, told The New York Times that Abbott had created “unnecessary fear,” based on misunderstandings about Sharia, the Muslim legal code governing both personal conduct and, in specific theoretical conditions, that of the society.
“It’s a personal moral code of life, that’s all it is,” Bashir said. “Standing up for people, serving people, taking care of your family, being honest, this is all part of Shariah.”
The imam insisted there was no effort to impose Islamic law on others. Referring to the governor, Bashir said: “Why is he making up things which we have never, ever said? We will always work within the laws of the United States and the State of Texas.”
Much like Jewish halacha, Shariah obligates Muslims in non-Muslim countries to follow the laws of the land in which they live. Shariah courts are also a means of mediating civil disputes, similar to batei din in Jewish communities, and are sometimes used by religious Muslims in lieu of typical legal proceedings. At the same time, Shariah refers to criminal sanctions that would be imposed in an Islamic society, with a legitimate Islamic government.
Abbott said in a post to X last month that a dozen state agencies are investigating the EPIC City project, citing “serious legal issues” and alluding to “laws to prevent foreign adversaries from buying land in Texas,” without elaborating.
Two days later, the state government in Texas sent a cease-and-desist letter to the EPIC mosque accusing them of operating a funeral home without a license.
The mosque’s own license expired in 2022, according to local media. The EPIC website had said it partnered with a local funeral home, called Rahma Funeral Home, which has a valid license. That page appears to have since been removed from the website.
Rahma Funeral Home’s owner, Qadeer Qazi, told The Dallas Morning News that there was no contractual relationship between the two institutions, and said it had “nothing to do with the case that is ongoing against EPIC.”
