{"id":112979,"date":"2026-01-06T17:51:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T17:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/112979\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T17:51:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T17:51:12","slug":"collin-countys-controversial-epic-city-to-move-ahead-as-the-meadow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/112979\/","title":{"rendered":"Collin County’s Controversial EPIC City to Move Ahead as The Meadow"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe East Plano Islamic Center has been a center of controversy in Texas. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Mike Brooks<\/p>\n

The East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) will move forward with its plans for a controversial residential development<\/a> 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 \u201cThe Meadow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Announced in 2024, plans for the 400-acre development were halted last year <\/a>after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began leading a charge against what he called the \u201csharia city.\u201d 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\u2019s efforts, including funeral services.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe group behind the proposed East Plano Islamic Center compound may be misleading investors,\u201d Abbott said in a March 2025 press release. \u201cDefrauding 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2026, though, EPIC is looking to set the record straight as it moves ahead with its community plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOver 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,\u201d read a statement from Community Capital Partners, EPIC\u2019s corporate entity for buying and selling land. \u201cMultiple 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019t been the case and will not be true moving forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe plan allows for multiple houses of worship, reflecting the community\u2019s open and inclusive design,\u201d the statement says. \u201cFrom 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following Abbott\u2019s vocal opposition to the EPIC housing development, groups of Christian and far-right protesters began appearing weekly at the mosque\u2019s entrance. Through shouts and bullhorns, people attempting to enter the mosque\u2019s grounds were routinely told to \u201crepent and turn to Jesus Christ\u201d among many other things.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThey want us to do something,\u201d said an EPIC member who spoke to the Observer in October.<\/a> \u201cThey\u2019re trying to make us do something. Maybe we\u2019re going to get mad at them and start fighting them, and then they\u2019ll post something like, \u2018Oh, these are how bad Muslims are.\u2019 Luckily, so far, nothing has happened. But I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Meadow\u201d will remain just that \u2013 an empty meadow.<\/p>\n

EPIC can change its name, but can’t change the legality of the flawed structure they seek to impose.<\/p>\n

They delete social media posts & rewrite contracts. But it\u2019s just a disguise to impose sharia on a community they create.\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

EPIC\u2019s announcement this week comes less than a month after Abbott noted the development\u2019s name change on social media. As one might guess, he wasn\u2019t impressed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018The Meadow\u2019\u201d will remain just that \u2013 an empty meadow,\u201d he posted on X. \u201cEPIC can change its name, but can\u2019t change the legality of the flawed structure they seek to impose. They delete social media posts & rewrite contracts. But it\u2019s just a disguise to impose sharia on a community they create. At least 4 state agencies continue to investigate this misguided mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

No word yet on when construction might begin, but that is unlikely to keep the focus on EPIC from lessening anytime soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt 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,\u201d says the statement. \u201cWhile 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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