A taxpayer-funded Texas water park has changed its "Muslim only event" to an open-to-all celebration after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to pull $530,000 in state grants from the city of Grand Prairie.
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is hosting the third annual Dallas-Fort Worth "Epic Eid" celebration on June 1. The original flier for the event stated it was a "Muslim only event" with a modest dress code requiring women to wear burkinis and men to wear swim trunks and shirts. After criticism, organizer Aminah Knight updated the materials to say "all are welcome."
What the Left Is Saying
Civil liberties advocates argue that the backlash against the Epic Eid celebration represents government overreach into private religious community events. The original event description emphasized creating a welcoming space for families who prefer modest dress and halal food options.
Knight said in a statement on the event website that the gathering was about "creating a space where individuals and families, particularly those who value modest dress and a modest environment, can come together and enjoy a recreational setting comfortably." She noted the updated materials reflect "a modest dress-only event, centered around a respectful and family-friendly environment."
The event is organized by a local Islamic group that has held two prior gatherings at Epic Waters without incident. The water park is city-owned in Grand Prairie, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb.
What the Right Is Saying
Abbott called the original "Muslim only" admission policy "unconstitutional" and "religious discrimination." He referenced HB 4211, legislation he signed banning Muslim-only no-go zones in Texas.
The governor wrote on X that the city must cancel the event and commit to never allowing something like it again by May 11 or lose $530,000 in state grants. "Let this be a lesson to local officials: Facilities funded by ALL taxpayers are not just for a subset of Texans," Abbott stated.
In a letter to Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen, Abbott noted that his Public Safety Office has five active grants with the city and that city leaders agreed to comply with state laws regarding civil rights and discrimination upon accepting the awards.
What the Numbers Show
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark was funded in part by a voter-approved 0.25% sales tax increase in Grand Prairie. The water park is owned by the city of Grand Prairie, which receives approximately $530,000 in public safety grants from Abbott's office that could be at risk.
The Epic Eid celebration would be the third such event held at the venue, with prior gatherings occurring without controversy under previous city leadership.
The Bottom Line
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between religious accommodation and taxpayer-funded public facilities in Texas. Grand Prairie must decide whether to modify or cancel the event by Abbott's May 11 deadline to retain approximately $530,000 in state grant funding for public safety programs. The outcome could set precedent for how taxpayer-owned venues handle faith-based community events in the future.