Texas Governor Signs Law Banning Sharia Compounds, EPIC City Project Faces Major Setback
By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
Austin: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially signed House Bill 4211, a new law aimed at preventing religiously exclusive residential developments, such as the controversial EPIC City project in Collin County near by Dallas. The bill bans the creation of so-called Sharia Compounds and protects Texans from discrimination and fraudulent housing practices.
The ceremonial signing took place Friday afternoon in McKinney, where a large crowd gathered amid heightened security. Several state and local leaders joined Governor Abbott, including Congressman Keith Self, Senator Angela Paxton, Representative Jeff Leach, Representative Candy Noble, Representative Katrina Pierson, Representative Keresa Richardson, and Representative Matt Shaheen.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abbott said the legislation addresses two key issues: religious freedom and the right to contract.
“Religious freedom is a cornerstone of the Texas Constitution,” Abbott stated. “But bad actors like EPIC and EPIC City tried to use religion as a form of segregation. We will ensure that laws and law enforcement are in place to prevent discriminatory compounds from being built in Texas.”
Abbott further explained that EPIC City organizers sought to create a Muslim-only community, impose Sharia law on residents, and restrict landowners from selling property outside of the community.
“This law protects religious freedom while ensuring that no one can forcibly impose Sharia law or create segregated ‘no-go zones’ in Texas,” Abbott added.
According to a press release issued by the State of Texas, House Bill 4211 regulates business schemes that develop residential communities to ensure they do not engage in discriminatory housing practices or unfair investment tactics that harm Texans. It requires that all disputes related to these developments be resolved in state or federal courts, not through any other religious or alternative systems.
The EPIC City project, announced in 2024 by members of the East Plano Islamic Center through a company called Community Capital Partners, was planned as a 402-acre “Muslim-friendly” community near Josephine in rural Collin County. Plans included more than 1,000 homes, a mosque, a K-12 faith-based school, apartments, a senior living center, and retail shops.
Almost immediately, the project faced strong opposition from nearby residents, county commissioners, and state lawmakers. Critics accused EPIC City of violating fair housing laws by allegedly restricting home sales and rentals to Muslims only.
At county meetings, residents claimed EPIC City would be an “Islamic compound” where “Sharia law” would be enforced.
EPIC City’s attorney, Dan Cogdell, strongly denied these allegations, calling them false and politically motivated.
“We never intended to impose Sharia law or create a Muslim-only zone,” Cogdell said. “Our buyers are doctors, lawyers, and engineers — law-abiding citizens who just want to live peacefully. This has become nothing but propaganda.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-DFW) also condemned Governor Abbott’s statements, calling them “hurtful and dangerous” for Texas’ nearly one million Muslims.
CAIR-DFW leader Mustafaa Carroll said:
“There are no so-called Sharia compounds. This rhetoric spreads fear and paints Muslims as outsiders. It’s harmful and completely baseless.”
Despite the controversy, Cogdell insists the EPIC City project will move forward.
“This project is 100% moving ahead,” he said, maintaining that the accusations are fabricated and politically driven.
With the new law now in effect, EPIC City’s future hangs in the balance. While Abbott’s administration celebrates the bill as a victory for religious freedom and equal rights, Muslim community leaders view it as a troubling sign of growing hostility toward their community.
According to the official Texas press release, House Bill 4211 is now enforceable across the state, ensuring that no group can build exclusive religious compounds or discriminate against Texans in housing developments.
