EPIC City Now Under Federal Investigation
April 12, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Justice has joined Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott in launching a federal investigation into the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) and its proposed development project, EPIC City—a 402-acre planned Muslim community near Josephine, Texas. The planned city will occupy land in Collin and neighboring Hunt County. The probe follows mounting controversy and public concern surrounding the scope, purpose, and legal implications of the project.
There is no federal law that prohibits the application of Sharia law in the US.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn, a key figure in prompting federal scrutiny, sent a letter last month to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting immediate review. Citing allegations of religious discrimination, questions about the possible application of Sharia law, and potential violations of federal and state law, Cornyn called for decisive legal action. “Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no place in the Lone Star State,” he stated. “Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted, and I know under the Trump administration, they will be.”
While EPIC maintains that EPIC City is a private, faith-based community project designed to serve the needs of Muslim families, critics argue that it may operate outside of constitutional and municipal frameworks. The project has sparked heated public debate, particularly in conservative circles, over religious freedom, community zoning, and the role of Islamic institutions in American life.
The Department of Justice has not yet detailed the scope of its investigation, but legal analysts suggest the probe will examine zoning practices, financial transparency, and civil rights compliance. The involvement of both state and federal officials underscores the political weight of the controversy and raises broader questions about religious liberty, cultural integration, and the limits of local control.
As the investigation unfolds, the outcome could have lasting implications for how religious communities build and govern private developments in Texas and across the nation.
