(Texas Scorecard) – Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the state has ordered the East Plano Islamic Center to immediately stop what officials say are “illegal funeral operations.”
The same group, known as EPIC, is behind a controversial Islamic housing development in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
According to the governor’s office, the Texas Funeral Service Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC, accusing the group of operating a funeral home without the required state license. The matter has also been referred to the local district attorney’s office for possible prosecution.
“Here in Texas, we uphold the rule of law,” said Abbott in a statement. “The group behind the proposed East Plano Islamic Center compound in Collin County is knowingly breaking state law in many ways, including by operating a funeral home without a license. This is a crime, and it will not be tolerated. Texas will continue to defend our communities from any threats posed by EPIC City.”
The announcement comes after Abbott revealed that a dozen state agencies are investigating potential illegal activity tied to the controversial EPIC City project—a 402-acre planned community that includes a mosque, Islamic school, and housing.
The development has drawn scrutiny from those who say the project could function as a religious enclave operating outside the bounds of American law. Abbott has already stated that “Sharia law is not allowed in Texas,” and has warned against the creation of so-called “Sharia cities” or “no-go zones.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also announced this week that his office is investigating EPIC for potential violations of consumer protection laws, though details on the nature of the alleged violations have not yet been made public.
As of publication, EPIC had not responded to a request for comment.