A proposal by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) to develop a 402-acre community near Josephine, Texas, has ignited heated debate, drawing attention from local residents, state officials, and national media.

The project, dubbed “EPIC City,” envisions a mixed-use development with 1,000 homes, a mosque, schools, and a shopping center, intended to serve the region’s growing Muslim population.

However, opposition, led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and local residents, has raised concerns about the project’s legality, cultural implications, and community impact, while EPIC leaders claim they face misinformation and threats.

Announced in early 2024, EPIC City aims to create a vibrant community centered around Islamic values, located roughly 30 minutes from the existing mosque in Plano, Texas.

According to EPIC, the development addresses the needs of a growing Muslim demographic in Collin and Hunt counties, where the land is situated.

Plans include residential housing, educational facilities, and commercial spaces, with a new mosque as the community’s focal point. EPIC describes the project as a “historic” effort to foster community cohesion and provide essential services for Muslim families.

The project requires permits from both Collin and Hunt counties, a process that has met significant resistance.

Supporters argue it will boost the local economy and provide much-needed infrastructure, while critics question its scale and intentions, citing concerns about self-governance and cultural integration.

Governor Greg Abbott has been a prominent critic, accusing EPIC of violating state laws and vowing that the project “will never see the light of day.”

In March 2025, Abbott directed multiple state agencies to investigate potential legal violations, including claims that EPIC operated an unlicensed funeral home.

He also alleged the mosque was practicing Sharia law, which he described as an “extreme” form of religion incompatible with Texas regulations. No arrests or formal charges have been made public to substantiate these claims.

Local residents have voiced opposition at public meetings, particularly in Collin County, where dozens of speakers urged commissioners to deny permits.

Some expressed fears that EPIC City would become a “self-segregated” Islamic enclave, with one resident claiming homebuyers would be required to fund the mosque and Islamic schools.

Others raised practical concerns, such as the inclusion of a loudspeaker for the call to prayer, which they argued could disrupt the rural area’s tranquility.

A viral video circulating online amplified these concerns, describing EPIC City as a “self-governed Islamic city,” fueling speculation and distrust.

Posts on X reflect polarized sentiments, with some users decrying the project as a threat to Texas values, while others defend it as a legitimate community development unfairly targeted by Islamophobia.

Facing mounting criticism, EPIC has hired high-profile attorney John Cogdell to represent the mosque and its development partner, Community Capital Partners.

In a press conference on April 2, 2025, Cogdell accused Abbott of spreading “falsehoods” and “gubernatorial hate speech,” claiming his clients have received dozens of death threats due to misinformation. He emphasized that EPIC is committed to legal compliance and urged the governor to retract misleading statements.

EPIC leaders have denied practicing Sharia law or engaging in illegal activities, asserting that the funeral home allegations stem from cultural misunderstandings about Islamic burial practices.

The mosque issued a statement expressing willingness to work with the Texas Attorney General to ensure transparency and compliance.

Congregants, speaking to media during Ramadan prayers, dismissed Abbott’s accusations, focusing instead on their community’s contributions to Plano, where the mosque already operates schools and a gym.

The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of Muslim-led projects globally. In the UK, for instance, a proposed mosque in the Lake District faced objections from anti-Islam groups, though it secured planning permission.

In Canada, Edmonton’s Al Rashid Mosque is navigating rezoning efforts for a similar community-focused expansion, highlighting the challenges of accommodating growing Muslim populations in Western countries.

In Texas, EPIC’s project faces an uphill battle. Both Collin and Hunt counties must approve permits, and public opposition remains strong.

A Collin County Commissioners Court meeting in late March 2025 saw hours of testimony from residents urging denial of the permits, reflecting deep community divisions.

Meanwhile, EPIC’s existing footprint in Plano—a large mosque surrounded by community facilities—underscores its established presence, complicating efforts to dismiss the group outright.