Grand Prairie Cancels “Muslims Only” Event

May 7, 2026 – A planned private event at a city-owned water park in Grand Prairie has been canceled following mounting public criticism and pressure from state officials. The event, known as “DFW Epic Eid,” had been scheduled for June 1 at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, a facility owned by the city and operated by a private management company.

The controversy began after media personalities, including Sara Gonzales, drew attention to promotional materials describing the gathering as a “Muslim only” event that would be closed to the general public. While organizers later revised the wording to remove the phrase “Muslim only,” the event was still described as being exclusively reserved for Muslims, continuing to draw scrutiny and debate over whether such restrictions were appropriate on public property.

Critics argued that hosting an event limited to a specific religious group at a taxpayer-funded venue raised legal and ethical concerns. Supporters, however, viewed it as a private cultural celebration similar to other community-specific gatherings.

The issue escalated when Greg Abbott issued an ultimatum to city officials, demanding written confirmation by May 11 that the event would not take place on city-owned property. Abbott warned that failure to comply could result in the loss of more than $530,000 in state grant funding.

Facing the potential financial consequences and ongoing backlash, city leaders opted to cancel the event. A spokesperson confirmed the decision, stating it was made “in the best interest of the City of Grand Prairie.”

The cancellation highlights the ongoing tension between religious accommodation and the use of public facilities, a debate likely to continue in similar cases across Texas and beyond.