Out in the quiet countryside near Blue Ridge and Josephine, Texas, a big plan is stirring up some big concerns.
A proposed development, called EPIC City, is aiming to build a large Islamic community in the area.
Some say it’s a peaceful place for like-minded families to live together.
For folks who believe in local control, individual freedom, and the rule of law, this whole situation has raised red flags.
402 acres purchased to build an Islamic city that will govern itself in the heart of Texas pic.twitter.com/eOixmVDHfJ
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 1, 2025
What Is EPIC City?
EPIC City is being planned by a group with ties to the Islamic Association of Allen.
Reports say the idea is to build a full community—schools, homes, and places of worship—designed specifically for Muslim families.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with people wanting to live with others who share their values. That’s part of what makes America great—we’re free to worship, speak, and gather how we want.
But when a group sets out to build an entire city that some worry might follow different laws or customs than the rest of Texas, folks start asking good, fair questions.
Governor Abbott Speaks Out
.@TCEQ found that EPIC and affiliated entities have not obtained the required authorizations or permits needed for construction.
They must confirm within 7 days that they are ceasing construction of their illegal project or face the full weight of the law. pic.twitter.com/j0f4ZSYi1Z
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 1, 2025
Governor Greg Abbott also reminded Texans that Sharia law is banned in the state.
Sharia law is a system of rules based on the religion of Islam. In some countries, it’s the official law of the land, like in Iran or Saudi Arabia.
There, it can be very strict—people can be punished harshly for things like stealing or not following certain religious rules.
That’s a key issue for many people, because one concern that keeps coming up is whether EPIC City might try to operate under Islamic legal customs, rather than Texas law.
And Texans have made it clear: our laws come first—no exceptions.
Why People Are Concerned
Plenty of locals feel like this plan was sprung on them without warning. And there’s a bigger issue here than just one project.
A lot of Texans are asking: Are we still in charge of what happens in our own towns and counties? Or are outside groups with big money calling the shots?
When a group moves in with plans to build an entirely separate community—possibly with its own way of life and belief system—it makes people wonder what that means for local schools, law enforcement, and everyday life.
People don’t have to change who they are, but when you live here, you live by the same rules as everyone else.
That’s how freedom and fairness work together.
What Supporters Say
Supporters of the EPIC City project say they’re simply exercising their rights to build a faith-based community.
And they’re right that religious freedom is protected under the Constitution. No one’s arguing against that.
But Texans also have a right to ask questions, as do all Americans when something doesn’t quite make sense.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
