Texas Republicans face mounting backlash after Governor Abbott vows Islamic development project “will never see the light of day” while intensifying fight against Muslim organizations across the state

Texas – Texas Governor Greg Abbott is facing growing criticism after escalating a series of actions targeting Muslim organizations, Islamic-themed projects, and community events across the state in the span of just one week, fueling accusations that Republican leaders are turning anti-Muslim rhetoric into a broader political strategy ahead of the November elections.

The rapid string of actions has intensified an already heated debate in Texas, where Republican figures have increasingly centered immigration, religion, and cultural identity in campaign messaging. Texas is home to roughly 313,000 Muslims, according to World Population Review, and critics argue the latest developments are deepening fear and division inside those communities.

Abbott’s recent moves came as other Texas Republicans also sharpened their language surrounding Islam. Senator John Cornyn recently pledged to fight “radical Islam” in campaign advertising, while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused Cornyn of helping “radical Islamic Afghans invade Texas,” rhetoric that many observers believe could become a central Republican theme during the primaries.

Within a single week, Abbott took action against a Muslim housing development, pressured a city into canceling a Muslim community event, expanded legal efforts against the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and moved to shut down an Islamic educational institution.

EPIC City Battle Intensifies

The biggest flashpoint remains the controversial Muslim-centered development formerly known as EPIC City.

The project was first announced in 2024 by the East Plano Islamic Center, commonly known as EPIC. Plans called for a large Muslim community development across 402 acres spanning parts of Collin and Hunt counties.

From the beginning, Abbott strongly opposed the proposal and ordered state agencies to investigate the project.

Last week, however, developers appeared to gain momentum after a Travis County District Court ordered the Texas Workforce Commission to comply with a fair-housing agreement signed in September 2025. The development has since been renamed “the Meadow,” and supporters argued the ruling removed a major roadblock.

Abbott quickly responded publicly.

“Texas has ALREADY appealed & halted this flawed ruling. The Meadow (Epic City) is also subject to other legal action by the state. And, there are active investigations by State agencies and by the federal government. This development will never see the light of day,” Abbott wrote on X.

That statement immediately sparked backlash from critics who accused the governor of targeting a religious community rather than addressing specific legal violations.

Muslim Event Canceled After Pressure From Abbott

Another controversy erupted after the City of Grand Prairie canceled a private Muslim event scheduled at a city-owned water park.

The event was intended to celebrate Eid, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Organizer Aminah Knight explained that a flyer describing the gathering as “Muslims only” had been a mistake and said the goal was simply to create a welcoming community space.

Abbott nevertheless intervened, threatening to pull public safety funding from the city unless officials canceled the event.

Writing on X, Abbott called the gathering “religious discrimination” and “unconstitutional.”

“The City must cancel the event and commit to never allowing something like it again by May 11th, or lose $530,000 in state grants,” he wrote.

The city later canceled the gathering.

Abbott press secretary Andrew Mahaleris defended the administration’s position, saying: “Every Texan, regardless of their faith, is entitled to equal treatment in public spaces. The funding hold is now lifted, and the Governor expects full contract compliance moving forward. Governor Abbott will continue to use every necessary tool to ensure local governments follow the law and do not facilitate discrimination at taxpayer expense.“

CAIR and Islamic School Also Targeted

The governor’s legal fight with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, also expanded this week.

A federal court granted Abbott’s request for documents and materials connected to the organization, including donor information, travel records, and award recipient details.

The legal conflict dates back to November 2025, when Abbott designated CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization, claiming the group sought to impose Sharia law. CAIR has repeatedly denied any terrorist ties and rejected the accusations.

At the same time, Abbott directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to issue a cease-and-desist order against Texas American Muslim University of Dallas, known as TexAM.

State officials claimed the institution was “not operating in Texas in compliance with the laws and regulations of the state of Texas” because it allegedly lacked required certificates.

Abbott warned on X that if the organization refused to comply, “legal action will follow.”

“Texas will not allow illegal educational institutions to operate in our state,” he added.

I directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to issue a Cease & Desist to “TexAM,” an unauthorized Islamic educational institution operating illegally in Texas.

If they refuse to comply, legal action will follow.

Texas will not allow illegal educational… pic.twitter.com/JoxvIvrgJg

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 7, 2026

Democrats Accuse Republicans of Fear Politics

Texas Democrats sharply criticized the growing pattern of actions.

In a statement earlier this year, the Texas Democratic Party said it “condemns the discriminatory rhetoric and legal actions being advanced by Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton against Muslim communities in Texas.”

The party also argued that many of the claims surrounding Sharia law and religious extremism were unsupported.

“Recent lawsuits and investigations targeting a planned residential development formerly known as EPIC City—and other actions against Muslim organizations—are being justified with unfounded claims about ‘Sharia law’ and religious extremism, despite no credible evidence that Sharia law has been imposed anywhere in Texas. Such fear-based politics have real consequences for families, neighbors, and civil rights in our state.”

As the political temperature rises heading toward the elections, Texas is increasingly becoming one of the country’s biggest battlegrounds over religion, immigration, and the limits of state power.