Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that construction on the proposed EPIC City development, a Muslim-themed residential and community project backed by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), has officially been halted. The project, originally planned for Collin and Hunt counties, is now under intense scrutiny from state and federal authorities amid concerns over religious governance and regulatory violations.

“Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place,” Abbott stated in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. And, the US Department of Justice is also investigating.”

The EPIC City project aimed to develop more than 1,000 homes along with a mosque, a faith-based school, and a community college. It was being spearheaded by Community Capital Partners, an entity created by EPIC to oversee planning and development. While the project was positioned as a way to build a faith-aligned, inclusive community, state leaders expressed alarm over allegations that it could potentially operate under religious law—an accusation EPIC has firmly denied.

“Sharia law is not allowed in Texas,” Abbott previously emphasized in a statement posted in February, amid growing concern from state officials and conservative commentators.

Criticism escalated after a March report revealed that state officials had issued a cease-and-desist order against EPIC for allegedly conducting unlicensed funeral services. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office followed up with a Civil Investigative Demand to developers seeking more documentation about the project’s purpose, governance, and funding.

Federal authorities have also turned their attention toward the development. U.S. Senator John Cornyn confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had launched an investigation in response to his request to examine the project for possible violations of federal law, particularly those involving religious discrimination or the establishment of religious law in civic life.

“I am grateful to Attorney General Bondi and the Department of Justice for hearing my concerns and opening an investigation into the proposed EPIC City development in North Texas,” Cornyn said. “Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no place in the Lone Star State.”

In its public responses, EPIC has maintained that it has complied with all applicable federal and state laws and continues to do so. The organization denied any intention to impose Sharia law and has characterized the project as a culturally focused community development, not a religious state or autonomous zone.

While construction is currently halted, it remains unclear what the outcomes of the various ongoing investigations will be. Both state and federal officials have not indicated a timeline for their reviews. The controversy surrounding EPIC City has drawn national attention and placed the intersection of faith, urban development, and politics in the spotlight across Texas and beyond.

Originally reported by Saijaj Madan in Times Now News.