Sharia City? "EPIC City" Defenders Receive Death Threats
State & Federal governments investigate
Supporters of a planned Texas community whose centerpieces will be a large mosque and a K-12 Islamic School say their attempts to defend "EPIC City" from charges it will enforce "Sharia Law" and become what Texas Governor Greg Abbott fears could be a "no-go zone" for Texans who follow other religions are being lost amidst an onslaught of criticism:
That February post by Governor Abbott on x.com ignited a backlash on social media against EPIC City, whose supporters say it also unleashed a torrent of threats they are struggling to get their message across amidst a barrage of criticism by state and federal politicians:
"Misinformation ... has led to an increase of hate and attacks on our community. We are regularly receiving hate calls and death threats." -East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) Board of Directors
The furor over EPIC City reached a boiling point after Governor Abbott announced his opposition, and has been intensifying ever since. After EPIC hired well-known Texas attorney Dan Godgell to represent them, he told Spectrum News 1 he quickly learned what his clients were facing:
“The amount of backlash, hate mail. I mean, they posted my wife’s picture on X. They posted our home address. I get two or three death threats a day.” - EPIC Attorney Dan Codgell
Since Texas Governor Abbott sounded the alarm about EPIC City in February and implored state agencies to investigate, they have obliged:
Texas Workforce Commission is investigating EPIC and affiliated entities for "potential discrimination in violation of the Texas Fair Housing Act."
Texas State Securities Board is investigating EPIC and affiliated entities for "potential financial harm to Texans."
Texas Funeral Service Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter ordering EPIC to "immediately stop all illegal funeral service operations."
Attorney General of Texas is investigating EPIC and affiliated entities for "potential violations of Texas consumer protection laws."
Last week, the US Attorney General agreed to US Senator John Cornyn's request for a federal investigation:
"A master-planned ‘community of thousands of Muslims’ could violate the constitutional rights of Jewish and Christian Texans, by preventing them from living in this new community and discriminating against them within the community. I further encourage the Department to investigate whether Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslim minorities would receive equal protection under the law in this new community." US Senator John Cornyn
Despite the threats, Yasir Qadhi, resident scholar at the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), managed a sense of humor during a recent interview with the Dallas Morning News:
“People don’t understand the amount of hatred that we’ve gotten — ‘Go back home,’ and ‘We don’t want Muslims here. I’m sorry, I was born in Houston, Texas. You want me to go back to Houston? I don’t mind, but I prefer Dallas.” Yasir Qadhi, East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC)
EPIC says their service to the entire community - Muslim & non-muslim alike - has been lost in the controversy over "EPIC City:"
"We run daily prayers, free clinics, refugee support, food programs, youth events, and shelter in the winter for the homeless - for people of all backgrounds. This is all in service to Plano and the greater DFW area. We are proud Texans, Americans, and Muslims. We believe in the U.S. Constitution, the freedom of religion it protects and the laws of this land - and we follow them with sincerity and care. We abide by state and federal laws and have nothing to hide. We are committed to doing thing the right way - legally, ethically, and peacefully. And our doors remain open to anyone who wants to see the good we do with (their) own eyes." - East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) Board of Directors
How concerned are you about "EPIC City" in Texas?
Share your opinions in the comments to this article.
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
So, they are committed to doing things ethically, and legally? That doesn’t sound like most Muslims that I’ve met. Go over to the UK and see how Muslims are treating Christians and anyone who doesn’t share their religion. Same goes for Sweden, which is now the European country with the most hand grenade attacks. They can say whatever they wanna say, but the truth is, the whole goal is long as to conquer, and if you are not converted, they will kill you. I’m not saying this, you can find all this in the Quran.
I have read about some Muslims and their Shariah law. Then they also want to conquer our government. My good senses say, no Fucking way do I want EPIC City to move forward. I agree with Governor Abbott and he is the man to enforce the laws in TX. I was thinking about moving there, but this will keep me from doing so.