Texas Mosque-Backed Housing Project Faces Backlash, State Investigations:

A housing project in Josephine, Texas that is being supported by the East Plano Islamic Center is facing scrutiny from Governor Greg Abbot. Along with other officials in Texas, he has started investigations regarding possible illegal activities on the 400 acre site. On the other hand, representatives from the mosque defend that the intention of the project is to foster a coexistence of religions within one community.

Governor Targeting Project Claims Proposition Principles of Islamic Law

The problem escalated when Abbott posted a video on the internet expressing his anger on the development process in February. He has been claiming that it is a scope of trying to put “Shariah cities” into Texas. In Abbot’s own words, “Shariah law is not allowed in Texas.” Following this discourse, he has raised the subject publicly more than ten times after that while puzzling over whether the project would adhere to housing, financial, and funeral industry regulations. Criminal investigations have also been opened by Ken Paxton, the Attorney General.

The development plans in question have never been formally put forward but people are already emitting strong reactions to what is referred to as “EPIC City”. At one of the recent public hearings, accusations of honor charming and enforced marriages based on a discriminatory anti Muslim narrative were shared.

Mosque Leaders Reject Accusations

As the Imam points out, Bashir Nadim intently listens to each side of the arguments and delineates to them that Shariah which is treated as Islamic Law is a personal word, a code of ethics one lives by and not something one aims to impose on everyone. Now taking matters to the extreme of saying why is the governor creating and twisting and fabricating information we have never even intimated or brought forth is puzzling to say the least.

EPIC has served in the region of Plano for quite some time now with an extensive selection of services such as providing food along with an educational institution and also a center for warming. In reaction to the investigations, the mosque employed attorney Dan Cogdell and invited a complete overview of its policies.

Recurring Political Patterns

Governor Abbott has on numerous occasions, been known to act while on the back of online outrage, very little to none of supporting evidence. In 2015 he ordered the Texas State Guard to keep an eye out for a military drill after wild theories about a Government take over. The Colony Ridge development located near Houston is in the spotlight for its targeting base which consists mostly of immigrants served population.

Abbott shared anti Islam activist Amy Mekelburg’s post which has drawn attention to the EPIC City project. Rail extracts from marketing materials encapsulated the project as one that ‘brings Islam to the forefront’ command further scrutiny, even though developers argue has been misunderstood.

Chaudhary and Ahmad have stated that ‘EPIC City’ is not a community for only Muslims. He claims that there are more than 500 investors from different ethnicities. Although the mosque has received death threats and a cease and desist letter over their funeral services, the mosque is still going forward with the plans.

“If you have questions about our religion,” Imam Bashir urged, “come speak with us.”

Local Support for EPIC Community

Even with deep political opposition, there are other local voices that don’t agree with the imposition. Pastor Andy Odom from a nearby Presbyterian Church has praised Imam Bashir. While on the surface he seems skeptical about the development, he credits the community’s intentions.

“It’s all about exposing people to what we all desire,” said Bashir. “Safe neighbourhoods. Good schools. Peace.”