Shedding Light on the DOJ Probe: The Controversial East Plano Islamic Center's EPIC City Development
Federal Investigation Launched Against Muslim Community in EPIC City by Department of Justice
The scrutiny surrounding the East Plano Islamic Center's proposed development, EPIC City, has intensified with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launching an investigation.
Last month, U.S. Senator John Cornyn penned a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, expressing concerns over potential religious discrimination at EPIC City. Sen. Cornyn's announcement confirmed that the DOJ had opened an investigation in response to his queries.
In a press release, Sen. Cornyn remarked, "Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no place in the Lone Star State. Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted, and I know under the Trump administration, they will be."
EPIC's attorney, Dan Cogdell, assured full cooperation during the probe. "EPIC will cooperate fully with any and all investigations - regardless of how misguided and unnecessary they are," Cogdell stated.
EPIC City is a sprawling 402-acre proposed development symbiotic with the East Plano Islamic Center mosque. The mixed-use project encompasses a new mosque, over 1,000 single- and multi-family residences, a K-12 faith-based school, senior housing, an outreach center, commercial developments, sports facilities, and a community college.
Yasir Qadhi, a resident scholar at the East Plano Islamic Center, emphasized that the project is not exclusive to Muslim residents last year. "It's an open community," Qadhi said. "Anybody can come in. We're welcoming people of all backgrounds and diversity and we're offering them facilities that we think would be very, very useful."
The proposed development has been under scrutiny from Governor Greg Abbott, who ordered EPIC to cease any construction or face legal action last month. Despite this, developers stated that construction of the development is years away.
Governor Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have launched investigations into the project recently. Allegations include concerns regarding potential discrimination against non-Muslims, potential financial harm to investors, non-compliance with Texas consumer protection laws, and the operation of illegal funeral services.
Executive Director of the Dallas-Fort Worth office of the Council of American Islamic Relations, Mustafaa Carroll, criticized Abbott and Paxton at a press conference in April. Carroll argued that the state officials' groundless investigations into the East Plano Islamic Center and its project amounted to a violation of religious expression rights.
As events unfold, the federal investigation increases pressure on the EPIC City project. The DOJ remains silent on specifics, leaving stakeholders in both the project and the community waiting for the probe's outcomes amidst escalating political and community tensions.
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the East Plano Islamic Center's proposed development, EPIC City, following concerns raised by U.S. Senator John Cornyn about potential religious discrimination.
- Sen. Cornyn, in a press release, urged that religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no place in Texas and that any violations of federal law should be swiftly prosecuted.
- Dan Cogdell, EPIC's attorney, has assured full cooperation during the DOJ's investigation, despite labeling it as unnecessary.
- EPIC City, a 402-acre mixed-use development, includes a new mosque, residential units, a school, senior housing, commercial developments, sports facilities, and a community college, and is open to people of all backgrounds, emphasized Yasir Qadhi, a resident scholar at the East Plano Islamic Center.
- Governor Greg Abbott has ordered EPIC to cease construction, and he, along with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has launched investigations into the project, alleging concerns over potential discrimination, financial harm to investors, non-compliance with Texas consumer protection laws, and the operation of illegal funeral services.
- Mustafaa Carroll, the Executive Director of the Dallas-Fort Worth office of the Council of American Islamic Relations, has criticized state officials Abbott and Paxton for investigating the East Plano Islamic Center and its project, arguing it amounts to a violation of religious expression rights, amidst escalating political and community tensions.
