GOVERNOR HALTS ‘Muslim Only’ Park Event

Governor Greg Abbott forces cancellation of “Muslim only” event at taxpayer-funded Texas water park, defending equal access for all Americans against religious discrimination.[3][1]

Story Highlights

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatens to withhold $530,000 in state public safety grants from Grand Prairie over a discriminatory Eid event at city-owned Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark.[1][2]
Event flyers advertised as “Muslim only” with modest dress codes like burkinis for women, sparking comparisons to unconstitutional “Whites only” exclusions.[1][3]
City of Grand Prairie cancels the June 1 Eid al-Adha celebration after review, prioritizing compliance with civil rights laws.[1][4]
Abbott cites Texas HB 4211 banning exclusive zones in public facilities, protecting taxpayer resources from religious favoritism.[3]
Organizer Dr. Amina Knight calls it a private event open to modest-dressed non-Muslims, but backlash prevails.[1]

Abbott’s Swift Intervention

Governor Greg Abbott’s office sent a letter to Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen on Wednesday, demanding cancellation of the DFW Epic Eid event scheduled for June 1 at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark.[1][2] The facility, funded by local sales tax, hosted the private rental advertised initially as “Muslim only.”[3] Abbott equated the exclusion to a “Whites only” event at a public pool, calling it unconstitutional religious discrimination.[1] He threatened to pull $530,000 in public safety grants if the city proceeded.[2]

The letter highlighted the event’s public-facing promotion despite claims of privacy, violating state and federal civil rights laws.[3] Texas HB 4211, signed by Abbott, bans such no-go zones in taxpayer-funded spaces.[3] Organizers updated flyers to emphasize a “modest dress code” for all, but the governor’s office viewed it as a discriminatory facade.[1]

Event Details and Dress Code Controversy

The DFW Epic Eid aimed to celebrate Eid al-Adha, requiring women to wear burkinis showing only hands, face, and feet, while men needed swim trunks and shirts.[1][4] Over 600 attended last year at the same venue.[1] Two flyer versions circulated: one on Epic Waters’ social media inviting the “DFW Muslim community” with dress rules, another explicitly stating “Muslim only” twice.[4][5]

Organizer Dr. Amina Knight insisted the event welcomed friends of other faiths adhering to the code, shared initially in private groups.[1] She expressed disappointment over the cancellation, blaming controversy stirred by outsiders.[1] Questions persist on the “Muslim only” flyer’s origin, with no confirmation if it was official or altered.[5]

City Backs Down, Upholding Nondiscrimination

Grand Prairie issued a statement Wednesday evening: “After further review and in the best interest of the City of Grand Prairie, the June 1 Eid event at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark has been canceled.”[1][2] The city had paid rental fees but prioritized grant compliance and legal standards.[3]

A “Muslim only” event at a city-run waterpark in Texas has been canceled after major backlash from the state’s governor.

A local Islamic group rented out the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie for its annual "Epic Eid" celebration on June 1, advertising the party as a… pic.twitter.com/Yr8wa7zNuH

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 7, 2026

Abbott’s action aligns with conservative principles of equal treatment under the law, preventing public funds from subsidizing exclusionary religious events.[3] This victory echoes national frustrations with identity-based divisions eroding American unity, especially as President Trump’s administration reinforces constitutional protections nationwide.[1] Taxpayers avoid funding discrimination, a win for fairness in shared spaces.[2]