Muslim town project in Texas faces backlash amid Sharia law conspiracy claims

Imran Chaudhary’s plan for a Muslim-inclusive Texas community sparks outrage, misinformation, and political pushback.

Muslims gather for Friday prayers at a mosque in Plano, Texas, on April 11, 2025. Photo by Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

When Imran Chaudhary unveiled his vision for a new Texas development — a project that includes 1,000 homes, a school, a hospital, a community center, and yes, a mosque — he expected questions. What he didn’t anticipate was a torrent of threats and political firestorms. The Muslim town project in Texas, as some critics have labeled it, has become a lightning rod for anti-Muslim sentiment, misinformation, and deeply political rhetoric.

Chaudhary, president of Community Capital Partners and the developer behind the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), says he has been trying to follow every local and federal regulation since the very beginning. “We’ve been trying to follow every single law that is out there, from the state perspective to the federal perspective,” he told AFP in an interview. And yet, the Muslim town project in Texas has been met with more hostility than he ever imagined.

Political backlash and conspiracy-fueled fear

At the heart of the criticism is a long-standing far-right conspiracy theory that claims Islamic law — or Sharia — is creeping into American legal systems. This theory, denounced by legal experts and civil liberties groups, is now shaping public discourse around Chaudhary’s development.

Republican Senator John Cornyn called for a formal investigation into the EPIC project, suggesting that the planned Islamic school and mosque might infringe on the rights of Christians and Jews. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a staunch ally of Donald Trump, went a step further, claiming the project aims to create a “Sharia city” and warning, “To be clear, Sharia law is not allowed in Texas. Nor are Sharia cities. Nor are 'no go zones' which this project seems to imply.”

The Governor’s comments have only added fuel to the fire. Chaudhary, in response, tried to extend an olive branch by inviting Abbott to a Texas-style barbeque via social media. The invitation went unanswered.

A vision for coexistence, not exclusion

Despite the rhetoric, Chaudhary insists that the Muslim town project in Texas is not intended to be a Muslim-only enclave. “It’s open to all,” he said. “Anybody can use our services — the community center, the school, the hospital. We’ve never even discussed Sharia. From day one, we’ve consulted with our attorneys to make sure that we follow all the laws.”

Imam Yasir Qadhi, who leads prayers at EPIC’s Plano mosque, supports the expansion. Born in Houston to a Pakistani family, Qadhi says the Muslim community is growing in Texas for simple, relatable reasons: “People love the weather, the low taxes, the good food.” He also explains that the existing Plano community has outgrown its current space. “Because of the influx of people, we are looking to expand,” he said.

The new site, located about 25 miles northeast of Plano near the rural town of Josephine, is designed as an inclusive and self-sustaining community. The development includes plans for various amenities aimed at serving families of all backgrounds. Townhouse pads start at $80,000 and 1-acre lots sell for $250,000. More than two dozen lots have already been sold, signaling real interest from the public — despite the surrounding controversy.

Hate and hostility overshadow hope

But not everyone is welcoming the project with open arms. Some residents, motivated by fear or misinformation, are pushing back — hard. In April, a town hall meeting in Collin County drew an overflow crowd, many of whom spoke out forcefully against the project. Anonymous threats have escalated. One caller left a voicemail filled with expletives, advising Chaudhary to “get the fuck out of America while it’s still an option.”

The hate hasn’t been limited to voicemails or social media posts. Qadhi, the Plano imam, says that he has personally been accused of terrorism. “They are the ones terrorizing us,” he said. “I’m worried about hate crimes.”

Dan Cogdell, a lawyer representing the developers, says the political attacks — especially from Governor Abbott — have hurt the project's timeline. “The lies and the misinformation that Abbott’s putting out is striking,” he said. "This kind of language creates fear, delays approvals, and discourages people who genuinely want to build inclusive communities."

Muslim Americans remain resilient

Despite the opposition, many Muslims in Texas remain optimistic. They see the EPIC project as a chance to finally live in a neighborhood where their cultural needs are met — not at the exclusion of others, but in harmony with them. With more than 313,000 Muslims living in Texas (out of a population of over 31 million), there is a growing demand for community infrastructure that reflects the needs of this group.

For supporters like Qadhi, the project is about more than religion. It’s about building homes, not walls. “All the rhetoric that we are seeing and hearing — it’s not true,” he said. “That’s why we felt very confident in investing. We want our children to grow up in a safe, welcoming environment.”

Texas is one of more than a dozen U.S. states that have passed so-called “anti-Sharia law” bills — legislation pushed by far-right groups to stoke fears of Islamic influence in American courts. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, these laws are rooted in conspiracy, not reality.

The American Civil Liberties Union has repeatedly clarified that U.S. courts remain bound by the Constitution, and religious laws — whether Christian, Jewish, or Islamic — do not override that. The idea that a Texas town could operate under Sharia law is, they say, a legal impossibility.

The future of EPIC and religious freedom in Texas

The Muslim town project in Texas is now at a crossroads. On one hand, it represents a bold vision for inclusive development and religious coexistence. On the other, it is becoming a case study in how misinformation, political grandstanding, and cultural fearmongering can derail progress.

Still, Chaudhary is pushing forward. He believes the project will eventually win approval, despite the obstacles. His team has not only submitted all required permits but has also gone out of its way to engage legal experts and community members at every step. “This isn’t about religion,” he said. “This is about building a place where people can live, pray, learn, and get healthcare — just like any other American neighborhood.”

Whether the Muslim community near Josephine will realize its dream remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Muslim town project in Texas is about more than just land and buildings. It’s about a community’s right to exist, to thrive, and to call America home — no matter the faith they follow.