DOJ closes investigation into Muslim-centered community in Texas

In the United States, the U.S. Department of Justice has recently closed its federal civil rights investigation into the proposed Muslim-centered community known as EPIC City. This community is planned to be established near one of Texas's largest mosques, the East Plano Islamic Center. The federal probe was initially launched amid accusations that the developers faced discrimination due to their Muslim affiliation. On June 13, the DOJ communicated its decision to Community Capital Partners, the entity responsible for the EPIC City project, affirming that the development would be open to individuals of all faiths, following regulations outlined in the Fair Housing Act. The closure of the DOJ's investigation marked a significant moment for the developers, who had expressed concerns about facing undue scrutiny primarily because of their religion. As they aim to create a community that welcomes residents of all backgrounds, they emphasized their compliance with the Fair Housing Act and other relevant state and federal laws. Despite this federal development, the state of Texas continues to pursue multiple investigations against EPIC City, raising questions about the motives behind these state-level inquiries, which some observers, including the developers' attorney Dan Cogdell, argue appear to be politically driven. The project has triggered polarized opinions, particularly from state officials. For instance, Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently passed House Bill 4211, which is designed to mitigate the creation of religious-based developments that could lead to exclusive communities or