The East Plano Islamic Center has been a center of controversy in Texas.

Mike Brooks

The East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) will move forward with its plans for a controversial residential development in Collin and Hunt Counties, according to a Monday announcement. Instead of being named EPIC City, however, Capital Community Partners says the proposed community will now be named “The Meadow.”

Announced in 2024, plans for the 400-acre development were halted last year after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began leading a charge against what he called the “sharia city.” Over the course of most of 2025, Abbott, along with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a number of investigations against EPIC while using their social media reach to regularly speak out against the mosque’s efforts, including funeral services. 

“The group behind the proposed East Plano Islamic Center compound may be misleading investors,” Abbott said in a March 2025 press release. “Defrauding Texans will not be tolerated. The Texas State Securities Board is conducting a thorough investigation to ensure Texans are protected from financial harm that is alleged to have been caused by EPIC. This is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal activities by EPIC. All entities in Texas must follow state law, not Sharia law.”

In 2026, though, EPIC is looking to set the record straight as it moves ahead with its community plans. 

“Over the past year, The Meadow and affiliated entities have been subjected to an extraordinary number of investigations and public claims, many of which have been framed as evidence of wrongdoing despite repeated findings to the contrary,” read a statement from Community Capital Partners, EPIC’s corporate entity for buying and selling land. “Multiple state and federal agencies have completed reviews examining distinct and unrelated issues, including housing, civil rights, and securities matters. Repeatedly, those reviews found no evidence of illegal intent or securities violations.”

Those opposed to The Meadow have claimed that EPIC will only allow Muslims to own homes in the development, which would be a blatant violation of the Fair Housing Act that prohibits discrimination in home sales, rentals and lending. EPIC and Community Capital Partners say that hasn’t been the case and will not be true moving forward. 

“The plan allows for multiple houses of worship, reflecting the community’s open and inclusive design,” the statement says. “From the outset, the project has been open to anyone who chooses to live there and is being developed in full compliance with all local, state, and federal laws.”

Following Abbott’s vocal opposition to the EPIC housing development, groups of Christian and far-right protesters began appearing weekly at the mosque’s entrance. Through shouts and bullhorns, people attempting to enter the mosque’s grounds were routinely told to “repent and turn to Jesus Christ” among many other things. 

“They want us to do something,” said an EPIC member who spoke to the Observer in October. “They’re trying to make us do something. Maybe we’re going to get mad at them and start fighting them, and then they’ll post something like, ‘Oh, these are how bad Muslims are.’ Luckily, so far, nothing has happened. But I’m afraid that someone will do something, some kid will get mad at them and fight them or something, and then the entire community will be painted a picture.”

“The Meadow” will remain just that – an empty meadow.

EPIC can change its name, but can’t change the legality of the flawed structure they seek to impose.

They delete social media posts & rewrite contracts. But it’s just a disguise to impose sharia on a community they create.…

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 3, 2025

EPIC’s announcement this week comes less than a month after Abbott noted the development’s name change on social media. As one might guess, he wasn’t impressed. 

“‘The Meadow’” will remain just that – an empty meadow,” he posted on X. “EPIC can change its name, but can’t change the legality of the flawed structure they seek to impose. They delete social media posts & rewrite contracts. But it’s just a disguise to impose sharia on a community they create. At least 4 state agencies continue to investigate this misguided mission.”

No word yet on when construction might begin, but that is unlikely to keep the focus on EPIC from lessening anytime soon. 

“It is important to note that The Meadow remains in very early stages of development still, with formal plans only now being submitted for routine county review,” says the statement. “While the intensity of public attention at this stage is uncommon for a development of this type, Community Capital Partners remains focused on moving the project forward through established, transparent processes and in full compliance with the law.”