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Texas Muslim Town Plans Face Opposition

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has insisted "Sharia law is not allowed in Texas" in response to proposals for a new Islamic themed town near Josephine, around 40 minutes from Dallas.


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Only reason I’m posting this is because its in same city as me.

What do you guys think about such things?
 
I saw this come up earlier. Obviously it's an overreaction by the right wingers by calling it a sharia town but I don't like this idea of separation one bit.

It seems like a grifting project - make a housing estate but call it Islamic.

Muslims should be encouraged to live in wider society. If these people only want to live among other Muslims.....then surely there are other options for them.
 
There is absolutely no need for it. Texas already has numerous Islamic centers, mosques, and Islamic schools, along with communities with many Muslim households. Every major US city is Muslim friendly, providing everything needed for Muslims to practice their religion with ease.
 
I do think there is overreaction but I also think EPIC went overboard to publicise it that way as some sort of amazing place for Muslims.

If they would had just promoted it as any town wouldn’t had gone into notice.

Now every low IQ right wing nut is posting this on social media.
 
I don't see anything wrong with it.

There are already towns like this. For example, Amish people have their own separate community. Mormons have their own in Utah. Jews also have their own communities. So, what's wrong with it if Muslims make their own? Doesn't USA support freedom of religion?

If this is a private initiative, there should be nothing wrong with it legally.
 
I don't see anything wrong with it.

There are already towns like this. For example, Amish people have their own separate community. Mormons have their own in Utah. Jews also have their own communities. So, what's wrong with it if Muslims make their own? Doesn't USA support freedom of religion?

If this is a private initiative, there should be nothing wrong with it legally.
Where are Mormons only towns in Utah? US supports freedom of religion not segregation..
 
EPIC City, Texas. EPIC City is a master-planned Islamic community-centered residential development project in Texas, situated approximately 40 minutes from Dallas near the town of Josephine."

So, this is what it is. A residential development project. There are many like this in USA. This is perfectly fine legally.

Here's more from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPIC_City,_Texas):

====================================
EPIC City is a master-planned Islamic community-centered residential development project in Texas, situated approximately 40 minutes from Dallas near the town of Josephine. The initiative spans 402 acres across unincorporated portions of Collin and Hunt counties, and was initiated by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC).[1][2] Since its announcement in 2024, the project has generated both significant interest from potential residents and controversy from political figures and social media commentators.

Overview
EPIC City is a development project initiated by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) to be managed through its specially created entity, Community Capital Partners.[1] Imran Chaudhary, who was previously the mosque's president of its board of directors, holds the position of executive officer and director of the Community Capital Partners business. The proposed community is designed to feature over 1,000 residential units, along with a mosque, a K–12 faith-based school, a community college, and commercial shopping facilities.[3] According to organizational representatives, the East Plano Islamic Center will receive all profits generated by the development. The leadership team of Community Capital Partners consists of volunteers who reportedly will not receive compensation for their work on the project.[2][4] The development plan also expanded to include two additional projects called EPIC Ranches One and Two. EPIC Ranch One is planned to be a roughly 110 acre project approximately half a mile from the main EPIC City development, containing 70 residential lots ranging from one to five acres. EPIC Ranch Two is planned to be a roughly 90-acre site located within a mile from the main EPIC City development, containing 60 half-acre residential lots and 27 upscale townhome lots.[3][4] EPIC resident scholar Yasir Qadhi described the community as a "Muslim neighborhood" that would remain "well integrated" within the broader community. Project representatives emphasized that the development aims to create a "diverse and inclusive" community where people of various backgrounds can coexist harmoniously.[2] To reserve lots in the main EPIC City development, investors must purchase an $80,000 share in Community Capital Partners, which will later be credited toward a home lot purchase. For EPIC Ranches properties, investors must provide $30,000 in earnest money to secure a lot.[3][4]

History
The EPIC City project was publicly launched in 2024, resulting in more than 500 lots being reserved within days of the project's reveal.[4] As of February 2025, the EPIC City project remained in the planning and development phase, with finalized proposals still pending.[2][4] On February 14, 2025 the EPIC Ranches One and Two were announced as an extension of the original proposal.[4][5] While some property owners from neighboring areas indicated plans to relocate due to the anticipated changes to the area's rural character, others have noted potential benefits from increased property values. According to local reports, several property values in the area have potentially doubled since the announcement of EPIC City.[4]
 
From wikipedia itself :

The developers modified language on their website after questions from media, removing text that had indicated sales would be limited to "persons we believe will contribute to the overall makeup of our community."
 
Plano and Richardson near by already have significant Muslim population and cultural establishment, this seems more like wanting to segregate yourself..
 
From wikipedia itself :

The developers modified language on their website after questions from media, removing text that had indicated sales would be limited to "persons we believe will contribute to the overall makeup of our community."

If this is a private initiative, can they not demand this?

I am not a legal expert. So, I am curious.

Do Amish people in USA allow outsiders to live with them? I didn't see any non-Amish in their community (saw a documentary before).
 
If this is a private initiative, can they not demand this?

I am not a legal expert. So, I am curious.

Do Amish people in USA allow outsiders to live with them? I didn't see any non-Amish in their community (saw a documentary before).
Yes, its a private initiative and there is nothing about a closed community is against the law.
 
If this is a private initiative, can they not demand this?

I am not a legal expert. So, I am curious.

Do Amish people in USA allow outsiders to live with them? I didn't see any non-Amish in their community (saw a documentary before).
They have to follow Fair Housing Act, and Federal and State laws , which they are .

Their mistake was just to advertise it as place for Muslims in Texas will always backfire..
 
Texas real estate is in huge demand not only from within but across US .. I guess Republicans didn’t get their cut :srt once that is done it would go ahead without concerns unless it’s political backlash..
 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has insisted "Sharia law is not allowed in Texas" in response to proposals for a new Islamic themed town near Josephine, around 40 minutes from Dallas.


————-

Only reason I’m posting this is because its in same city as me.

What do you guys think about such things?
This is a bad idea. The posters suggesting that this is good do not live in the US and have no clue how this country works or the social dynamics. It is illegal to say only xyz people allowed in this community (good call out above on the fair housing act).

Why are the muslims there feeling compelled to close off and live in an insular community like this? The root cause for that desire may be the crux of the problem. Are they new immigrants having difficulties getting assimilated? Did they feel threatened in any way? Is it some business venture's new hook to create a premium priced offering for a captive market?

My entire family members (all muslims barring a couple of cousins who don't care) have not had any issues. My parents and their siblings immigrated back in the day, and my cousins and I were all born in the US. Our kids grow up here. We are scattered between east, west, and mid-west. None of us have faced anything significant over the past few decades (including post 9-11 mind you) to get ourselves into an insular community like this.

Something seems off as to what created the need for such an insular community plan.
 
This is a bad idea. The posters suggesting that this is good do not live in the US and have no clue how this country works or the social dynamics. It is illegal to say only xyz people allowed in this community (good call out above on the fair housing act).

Why are the muslims there feeling compelled to close off and live in an insular community like this? The root cause for that desire may be the crux of the problem. Are they new immigrants having difficulties getting assimilated? Did they feel threatened in any way? Is it some business venture's new hook to create a premium priced offering for a captive market?

My entire family members (all muslims barring a couple of cousins who don't care) have not had any issues. My parents and their siblings immigrated back in the day, and my cousins and I were all born in the US. Our kids grow up here. We are scattered between east, west, and mid-west. None of us have faced anything significant over the past few decades (including post 9-11 mind you) to get ourselves into an insular community like this.

Something seems off as to what created the need for such an insular community plan.
I think it’s just greed of the builders, what can distinguish them from other amazing communities in DFW area which are also getting built?

But seems like it backfired and it has brought lot of negative publicity in Texas due to the governor.
 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has insisted "Sharia law is not allowed in Texas" in response to proposals for a new Islamic themed town near Josephine, around 40 minutes from Dallas.


————-

Only reason I’m posting this is because its in same city as me.

What do you guys think about such things?
TBH, religion does not need any specific town or city or country. If you want to practice your religion, you can do that anywhere. But opposing such a theme is also not right. If the things are not forced on people, then it should be fine.
 
I saw this come up earlier. Obviously it's an overreaction by the right wingers by calling it a sharia town but I don't like this idea of separation one bit.

It seems like a grifting project - make a housing estate but call it Islamic.

Muslims should be encouraged to live in wider society. If these people only want to live among other Muslims.....then surely there are other options for them.

I was under the impression that the US is far more segregated anyway than what we are used to in the UK. With it being such a big place you tend to get black areas and white areas when you step outside the really big metropolises. But that should happen naturally, I don't think it should actually be planned.
 
If this is a private initiative, can they not demand this?

I am not a legal expert. So, I am curious.

Do Amish people in USA allow outsiders to live with them? I didn't see any non-Amish in their community (saw a documentary before).
Shocker.

:inti
 
TBH, religion does not need any specific town or city or country. If you want to practice your religion, you can do that anywhere. But opposing such a theme is also not right. If the things are not forced on people, then it should be fine.
They will be breaking laws if they only allow people from one religion in that community..
 
What the heck is a Muslim town?

Yasir Qadhi is a known clown. He said - ""Muslim neighborhood" while being "well integrated" into the wider community." :vk2
 
If it is a private initiative then nothing wrong with it....anybody could have one
As long as Sharia laws are not applied, there are no parallel Sharia courts and non-muslims are allowed to settle in that place, it should not be a problem. But I doubt all of this was in the plans of Mr.Qadhi and his friends.
 
If it is a private initiative then nothing wrong with it....anybody could have one
Just because a child can buy cocaine doesn't mean you should allow.

This is your future ghetto town. If segregation proceeds uninhibited.

You need others to counterbalance regressive elements of muslim culture.
 
Look like there is a legal perspective and perspective of other communities.

But really as Muslims in the West do we really want notable scholars like YQ touting these schemes. What message it sends to our future generations? It just sows the seeds of isolationism.
 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has insisted "Sharia law is not allowed in Texas" in response to proposals for a new Islamic themed town near Josephine, around 40 minutes from Dallas.


————-

Only reason I’m posting this is because its in same city as me.

What do you guys think about such things?
In Vaughan, ON in CANADA, Qadianis have a similar setup. They have a huge community and prayer center with most of the housing around it owned by the Qadiani community. There is even a road named "Ahmediyya Avenue".

In Canada they are encouraged, respected and celebrated. Having such community places encourage harmony and peace. A vast majority of Muslims and Pakistanis in the DFW metro area are educated professionals. They are not gang bangers marking their territory by doing this or planning to turn it into some sort of caliphate. The Texas governor is a known idiot and racist. He is throwing around terms like "Shariah law" and its an outright misrepresentation of facts. But I also know methods employed by politicians are common in Texas and Florida.
 
A city run by Muslim Americans, completely in accordance with the law and Constitution of the US -- and a city run by Muslims by imposing whatever they consider to be Sharia law, which goes against the US laws and Constitution, are two entirely different things.

If something like the latter is the goal here, by all means put a stop to it. But anything otherwise is infringing on the freedoms and liberties of Americans.

This is like calling "China Towns" across the country "Communism Centers"
 
A city run by Muslim Americans, completely in accordance with the law and Constitution of the US -- and a city run by Muslims by imposing whatever they consider to be Sharia law, which goes against the US laws and Constitution, are two entirely different things.

If something like the latter is the goal here, by all means put a stop to it. But anything otherwise is infringing on the freedoms and liberties of Americans.


This is like calling "China Towns" across the country "Communism Centers"
Yup. 14th amendment.

honor it. you are fine.
 
Look like there is a legal perspective and perspective of other communities.

But really as Muslims in the West do we really want notable scholars like YQ touting these schemes. What message it sends to our future generations? It just sows the seeds of isolationism.
That is exactly what they want.

These people want to live in a full Islamic society secluded from the regular evils of American society. All the while enjoying the comforts of a developed nation.
 
That is exactly what they want.

These people want to live in a full Islamic society secluded from the regular evils of American society. All the while enjoying the comforts of a developed nation.
And your problem @Champ_Pal...you yourself termed something evil so why not dodge it 🤔
 
In Vaughan, ON in CANADA, Qadianis have a similar setup. They have a huge community and prayer center with most of the housing around it owned by the Qadiani community. There is even a road named "Ahmediyya Avenue".

In Canada they are encouraged, respected and celebrated. Having such community places encourage harmony and peace. A vast majority of Muslims and Pakistanis in the DFW metro area are educated professionals. They are not gang bangers marking their territory by doing this or planning to turn it into some sort of caliphate. The Texas governor is a known idiot and racist. He is throwing around terms like "Shariah law" and its an outright misrepresentation of facts. But I also know methods employed by politicians are common in Texas and Florida.
@Champ_Pal you mean like this or how Jews have done...or how a china town or Desi Punjab etc does in western nations
 
That is exactly what they want.

These people want to live in a full Islamic society secluded from the regular evils of American society. All the while enjoying the comforts of a developed nation.
I don't think thats what they want. In all honesty it seems like a real estate grift. Im surprised at YQ for being involved.
 
I don't think thats what they want. In all honesty it seems like a real estate grift. Im surprised at YQ for being involved.
YQ used to be rational. He once made a famous speech about not believing in parts of Quran (Yajooj/Majooj). He got blasted for his speech and since then he became more rigid with this views.
 
A city run by Muslim Americans, completely in accordance with the law and Constitution of the US -- and a city run by Muslims by imposing whatever they consider to be Sharia law, which goes against the US laws and Constitution, are two entirely different things.

If something like the latter is the goal here, by all means put a stop to it. But anything otherwise is infringing on the freedoms and liberties of Americans.

This is like calling "China Towns" across the country "Communism Centers"
You are focussing on legal aspects. The governer is a bigot thats fine. Do you think this style of living is a good message to send to our community and youngsters?

China towns and stuff happened organically they didn't make a specific development. There are little Pakistans and little Indias in america too, nobody minds them. But this scheme is purpose-built; it just makes me uneasy.
 
You are focussing on legal aspects. The governer is a bigot thats fine. Do you think this style of living is a good message to send to our community and youngsters?

China towns and stuff happened organically they didn't make a specific development. There are little Pakistans and little Indias in america too, nobody minds them. But this scheme is purpose-built; it just makes me uneasy.
Well of course you want to follow the letter of the law. The law offers all citizens and communities protections. The piece quoted here (read it) has no mention of sharia law in fact it points out that the community will be “well integrated” into the wider community.
I’m hard pressed to find anything offensive or illegal or detrimental to overall society here. All immigrants have their hubs. Mormons are heavily entrenched in the UTAH area. Not sure what problem you are seeing here
 
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