Texas Muslim city accused of wanting to enact Sharia law rebrands following investigations

The East Plano Islamic Community (EPIC) has decided to change the name from EPIC City to The Meadow, according to a report from the Houston Chronicle. The project has not yet moved beyond the planning stages due to Texas Governor Greg Abbott calling for an investigation into claims of Sharia Law, which is a controversial Islamic law associated with capital punishment for homosexuality and adultery, involving death by stoning, among others.

Officials launched investigations into EPIC City after an American Muslim scholar, Imad Zaid Shakir, said in a now-deleted YouTube video that the city would be a "beautiful example of what Islam is all about, right in the heart of America, right in the heart of Texas" and a "sign that our community has arrived."

It has since been revealed that the community's Imam Yasir Qadhi has a history of calling for the execution of gay people and adulterers, as well as expressing hatred of Jews, the Daily Mail reported.

The case sparked concerns over the growing Muslim population in Texas and whether their views are compatible with US laws.

The East Plano Islamic Community described itself as a law-abiding nonprofit in a post on social media. Investigations have not yet uncovered anything unlawful about the group.

Sam Westrup, a counter-extremism analyst, told the Daily Mail that "any sort of compound such as EPIC City will serve to radicalize future generations of Muslims."

"Qadhi and his mosque, EPIC, have radicalized generations of Muslims not just in the Dallas area, but across the US," he said.

Developers are hoping to start construction in 2026 or 2027. The project would consist of a neighborhood equipped with 1,000 homes, a mosque, Islamic schools, clinics, stores, parks, and a nursing home. Organizers said the community would be open to all Americans, not just Muslims.

Gov. Abbott said in February that the "Sharia City" would "not be allowed in Texas."