DOJ launches investigation into proposed Muslim group
Gov. Abbott confirms ‘no building going down’
The U.S. Division of Justice has opened an investigation right into a proposed Muslim group growth in North Texas, citing issues over potential violations of federal regulation.
The investigation targets EPIC Metropolis, a 402-acre mission backed by the East Plano Islamic Middle (EPIC) in Josephine, Texas, about 40 miles northeast of Dallas. The deliberate growth — which incorporates over 1,000 houses, a mosque, a Ok-12 faith-based college, clinics, retail retailers, a group school and sports activities amenities — has sparked controversy amongst Texas Republican leaders.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott, Legal professional Common Ken Paxton and conservative activists have claimed that the mission goals to create a Muslim-only group ruled by Islamic regulation, allegations which each EPIC officers and Islamic leaders have denounced.
Get Our Newest Information for FREE
Subscribe to get each day/weekly e mail with the highest tales (plus particular gives!) from The Christian Put up. Be the primary to know.
“I’m grateful to Legal professional Common Bondi and the Division of Justice for listening to my issues and opening an investigation into the proposed EPIC Metropolis growth,” Cornyn introduced Friday. “Spiritual discrimination and Sharia Regulation haven’t any place within the Lone Star State.”
In response to the investigation, Dan Cogdell, the legal professional for EPIC, stated the mosque would “cooperate totally with any and all investigations — no matter how misguided and pointless they’re.”
Inside hours of the DOJ investigation being introduced, Gov. Abbott confirmed Sunday night that “no building” is going down on the proposed web site in Josephine.
“Texas has halted any building of EPIC Metropolis. There is no such thing as a building going down. The state of Texas has launched a couple of half dozen investigations into this mission. That features legal investigations,” Abbott wrote on X. “And, the US Division of justice can also be investigating. This matter, and related issues, are taken very critically, and actions are being taken to deal with all issues.”
Final month, in a letter to Legal professional Common Pam Bondi and Assistant Legal professional Common for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, Cornyn urged the DOJ to analyze EPIC for its plans to construct a “group of 1000’s of Muslims” generally known as EPIC Ranches Metropolis.
The 73-year-old senator described the mission’s scope as a “thriving ecosystem” of 1000’s of houses, a mosque, a personal Islamic college, business developments, a group school and sports activities amenities. He expressed concern over statements from Neighborhood Capital Companions, EPIC’s for-profit affiliate, suggesting that house gross sales could be restricted to patrons who “contribute to the general make-up of [the] group.” Though the developer later revised this language following inquiries from The Dallas Morning Information, Cornyn referred to as the modifications “stealth edits” that “create an impression of potential discrimination.”
He steered that EPIC could be trying to create an “unique spiritual settlement” ruled by Islamic ideas, probably violating federal prohibitions on religious-based discrimination. Cornyn additionally referred to as for an investigation into whether or not the mission adheres to legal guidelines banning the enforcement of Sharia regulation, stating, “Acceptable steps must be taken to make sure that this group doesn’t run afoul of those obligations.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which labeled Cornyn’s request “baseless and bigoted,” urged the division final month to reject Cornyn’s name for an investigation and as an alternative examine Texas officers for allegedly violating Muslims’ constitutional rights by way of “zoning harassment, discriminatory enforcement, and politically motivated intimidation.”
CAIR-TX, DFW Government Director Mustafaa Carroll, defended the EPIC mission as “a clear, inclusive initiative to offer reasonably priced housing and group companies to households of all backgrounds.” He accused Cornyn of enabling Abbott and Paxton to “abuse the regulatory course of to intimidate and suppress our group’s spiritual rights.”
CAIR’s Robert S. McCaw added, “Senator Cornyn’s request isn’t solely factually baseless. It weaponizes drained Islamophobic tropes to painting a peaceable, inclusive growth mission as suspicious just because it’s Muslim-led.”
