Texas Governor Greg Abbott isn’t one to shy away from confrontation, and this week he made that perfectly clear.
The Republican governor put Grand Prairie, a suburb of Dallas, on notice after learning about an event that he says directly violates the Constitution and the values of equal access for all Texans, as reported by the New York Post.
In a sharp letter sent Wednesday, Abbott warned Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen that the city could lose more than half a million dollars in state funding if it fails to cancel an upcoming event at a city-owned waterpark described as “Muslims only.”
The city of Grand Prairie canceled a private rental marking a religious holiday under pressure from Governor Greg Abbot, who called it unconstitutional religious discrimination after initial marketing for the event said it was “Muslim only.” https://t.co/6NNmABpBvR
— WFAA (@wfaa) May 7, 2026
The annual DFW Epic Eid celebration, planned by a local Islamic group at the taxpayer-funded Epic Indoor Waterpark, was originally marketed online as being exclusively for Muslims.
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Abbott’s immediate reaction was firm. The governor blasted the plan on social media, calling it a blatant case of religious discrimination and reminding everyone that state law forbids “Muslim-only” or any other kind of religiously segregated public events on public property.
“That’s religious discrimination. It’s unconstitutional,” Abbott wrote bluntly.
The governor cited House Bill 4211, legislation he signed to prevent any form of so-called “no-go zones” where one religious group controls access to public resources.
“Facilities funded by all taxpayers are not just for a subset of Texans,” he insisted. Abbott gave the city until May 11 to cancel the event or risk losing more than $530,000 in public safety grants provided by the state.
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According to Abbott’s letter, if the city fails to comply, Texas would not only yank back the existing grants but also ban Grand Prairie from applying for future state funding until city leaders prove they are following the law.
A city-owned water park in Grand Prairie openly advertised a “MUSLIMS ONLY” event — closed to the general public.
That’s religious discrimination. It’s unconstitutional. I signed HB 4211 into law — banning Muslim only no-go zones in Texas.The City must cancel the event and… https://t.co/W9NY9PAAjE— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 6, 2026
That’s a serious blow for any municipality that relies on state support for critical infrastructure like police, fire, and emergency management.
The event in question, DFW Epic Eid, has been held for the past two years at the same city-owned park. The indoor facility, which cost taxpayers $88 million to build and opened in 2017, is marketed as a family-friendly destination and regularly hosts private events.
For many residents, the controversy centers not around private rental rights, but around the perception that a government-funded space was being closed to the general public based on religion.
Criticism ramped up when a promotional flyer circulated on social media showing the event labeled “Muslim only.”
Many observers viewed that as a clear exclusion of non-Muslims, sparking questions about whether the city was endorsing a religiously exclusive event with public property. The backlash was fierce enough that organizers quickly rebranded.
By Monday, the new flyer no longer read “Muslim only” and instead featured the phrase “modest dress only,” adding a welcoming note for everyone: “Come and celebrate Eid with us, all are welcome!”
The group behind the event, led by organizer Aminah Knight, also updated its website to clarify that anyone can attend as long as attendees follow a modest dress code appropriate to Islamic customs.
Knight defended the event, explaining that her intention was never to exclude non-Muslims but to create a space comfortable for families who value modest clothing.
“The core intention behind this event is to create a space where individuals and families who value modest dress and a modest environment can come together and feel comfortable enjoying a recreational space that often doesn’t naturally accommodate those preferences,” she said.
Knight also emphasized that the event is rooted in celebrating Eid, a significant Muslim holiday, but that its guiding principle is about modesty, not exclusion.
For example, organizers expect women to wear burkinis and men to wear swim trunks with shirts. She also pointed out that the city frequently allows private rentals of the waterpark for weddings, parties, and other community gatherings.
Still, Abbott isn’t convinced that simply updating the flyer fixes the legal problem. His office maintains that taxpayer-funded facilities must remain open on equal terms to all residents, regardless of how well-intentioned a private event might be.
In his view, the initial “Muslim only” language exposed a disregard for state law and an unacceptable precedent.
Grand Prairie city officials have yet to comment publicly on the governor’s warning or say whether they intend to cancel the event.
The silence from city hall suggests that local leaders may be weighing the financial risk versus the political fallout of standing their ground.
The showdown puts the city squarely in the crosshairs of a statewide debate about religious inclusivity, taxpayer fairness, and the proper use of public spaces.
For Abbott, it’s another opportunity to reinforce that Texas won’t stand by while any group—religious or otherwise—tries to carve out a private space on public property under the banner of “diversity.”
Abbott has made clear that he sees this fight as setting an example for every other city in Texas. In his words, “Let this be a lesson to local officials.”
That statement alone should make every city council in the Lone Star State reconsider any event that even remotely limits who can participate when taxpayer money is involved.
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