Opponents of a proposed Muslim city in Texas flooded a public meeting on Monday in the hope of preventing a controversial Islamic compound from receiving the necessary permits to start construction.
For two hours, the Collin County Commissioners Court heard dozens of speakers who begged with them to deny the East Plano Islamic Center of Epic, permits needed to build a city for Muslims intended as 'the epicenter of Islam in America' by organizers.
Epic, a vast house of worship in Plano, Texas- Just north of Dallas- has recently become a target for GOV. Greg Abbott who accused the mosque of violating the law, even though no arrests or charges are made public.
At the beginning of 2024, Epic announced what a 'historical project', Epic City, called a community in Islam after buying 402 hectares of land just outside of Josephine, Texas.
Epic City, with a brand new mosque that serves as the city center, will contain 1,000 new houses, a schools and even a shopping center.
Many residents of the 2,000 passenger city of Josephine expressed their concern, although the Islamic development is outside the city boundaries.
“They want a loud system, a speaker system that would shoot their music to call them prayer, and they could do it as long as they wanted because they specifically choose a site just outside the city, so they can,” Susan Martinez told the committee.
She also shared that her small, rural community is already dealing with water restrictions, even without any new construction.
The East Plano Islamic Center of Epic is planning to build a community based on Islam near Josephine, Texas- in a rural area outside of Dallas. Shown above is the existing mosque in Plano, Texas
Rendering by Epic Show what Epic City would look like
“Last summer we not only lost the water pressure, one day we no longer had any water because a construction site had accidentally left water.”
However, others were concerned that there are more sinister intentions behind the construction.
Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas will hold in the press conference in Austin, Texas on 25 March
“These are self -guided communities, and they require … When you buy a lot or build a house, you have to pay in the mosque and you have to build in the Islamic schools,” another local said.
In two hours of public comments, where each speaker got two minutes, only two men spoke for the Epic City who received permits.
Extra speakers waited in an overflow space, because the public comment was expected to last until the evening.
Although the Collin County Commission did not expect to make a decision on Monday, the public comment they heard will be taken into account when they make a permit decision next month.
They will also have to consider continuous state investigations into the mosque.
The Republican Governor has accused the Islamic center of practicing Sharia legislation, an extreme form of religion, and of violating the State Act, the orders of a criminal investigation into the mosque Monday.
Epic has bought 402 hectares of land north of Josephine, Texas
The planned community of Epic City would include green spaces and shopping centers
About 10,000 residential areas are part of the vision for Epic City
“We discover legal violations of Epic City that go much further than what people realize,” Gov. Greg Abbott Night.
“The proposed community will never see the light of day. More come. '
Abbott claims that the mosque has violated the law by operating as a funeral center.
“They brokefully violate the Studies Act in many ways, also by operating a funeral center without a license,” Abbott posted on X.
“This is a crime and it will not be tolerated.”
A cease – it – stakes – it was – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – to prepare bodies for funeral, and Abbott asked the local public prosecutor to pursue criminal prosecution.
Abbott has instructed several government agencies to investigate potential crimes in the hope of quitting the planned community near Josephine, Texas about 30 minutes away from the worship house.
In the last accusation against the Islamic center on Thursday, Abbott is announced that the board of Epic is being investigated.
Although the State has not yet to announce arrests or charges, Abbott claimed that the state was looking at 'potential errors to meet the applicable national and federal securities requirements, including protection against fraud'.
“The group behind the proposed East Plano Islamic Center compound can be misleading investors,” Abbott said in a press release on Thursday.
'Cheating Texans will not be tolerated. The Texas State Securities Board carries out a thorough investigation to ensure that Texans are protected against financial damage that is claimed that it was caused by Epic. This is part of a constant investigation into accusations of illegal activities by Epic. All entities in Texas must follow the Statten Act, not the Sharia legislation. '
Although it promises to be the epicenter of Islam in America, “the organizers for Epic City also say that everyone is welcome in a video for the city.
'To be clear, Sharia legislation is not permitted in Texas. Sharia cities are not either. Neither are “no go zones” that seems to imply this project. Bottom line. The project as proposed in the video is not allowed in Texas, “said the Governor Online on 24 February.
Since Abbott has expressed his concern about 'Sharia Law' in the planned community, many residents of Josephine population are 2,000 against Epic City.
“This is a Sharia compound … where they will do the Sharia compliance, including honor murders, stoning and their young girls marry adult men,” a speaker claimed Monday.
She was also concerned about the ability of Epic to claim tax benefits for property, such as houses and companies, because of their tax -free status.
No foundation for Epic City has currently been deposited, but the website of the community that was projected that it would be ready to live in 2026 or 2027.
Epic City is not within the Josephine City boundaries, so the city did not want to comment, but it has released a public statement due to indignation of the locals.
“While Epic's marketing material reference is in the” Heart of Josephine “, this is incorrect and led to confusion and concern among the inhabitant.”
The administrator of the city added that Epic City falls outside the jurisdiction of the Josephine.
Epic City would be built just north of the city of Josephine, a city with around 2,000 people
Local parents told DailyMail.com that they were worried about the proximity of Muslim development to the local primary school
Members of Epic Mosque told DailyMail.com that they had heard that the development had been postponed because of the return.
Nobody from the mosque or development responded on DailyMail.com requests for comments for several days.
However, the imam called Abbott's views 'misinformed' in a statement issued to CBS Texas.
'We understand that there has been many rumors and wrong information by many who are not informed. We look forward to working with the Attorney General to ensure that we are every step in legal compliance, “said the mosque.
Even if Abbott is successful in stopping the new development, Epic already has a large footprint in Plano.
The huge mosque is surrounded by schools and a gym.
On the other side there is also a company called 'Epic Market' and Halal stores that focus on the Muslims who live on the street around the mosque.
The large luxury two -storey houses with expensive cars on the Drive Maniers were all decorated for Ramadan, with Christmas lighting used to celebrate the Holy Month of Lent.
In what could be an important voice for the future of Epic City, Collin County Commissioners will decide whether they will approve a permit on 14 April.
