In response to a viral video showing an imam pressuring Muslim-owned stores over sales of pork, alcohol, and lottery tickets, Governor Greg Abbott issued a sweeping ban on Sharia law in Texas. The governor emphasized that any legal system undermining human rights—Sharia included—is prohibited, and encouraged Texans to report attempts at enforcing religious law to authorities.
The directive echoes language from a 2017 state law that bars Texas judges from applying any foreign law in court—a measure framed as purely legal, not religious. Civil rights advocates argue that Sharia, like religious codes in Judaism and Christianity, typically governs personal rituals such as prayer, divorce, or burial practices when voluntarily adopted by individuals.
Meanwhile, a proposed Muslim-centric housing development near Plano—dubbed EPIC City—is drawing intense scrutiny from state officials. Governor Abbott has halted construction and ordered investigations by multiple agencies, citing a lack of proper permits and potential legal concerns. Proponents of the project stress their intent to follow all U.S. and Texas laws and deny efforts to impose religious restrictions on the community.