A Texas water park event promoted as a “Muslim only” gathering has been canceled after days of criticism and a direct warning from Gov. Greg Abbott that the city could lose more than half a million dollars in state grants if it moved forward.
The controversy centered around the annual “Epic Eid” celebration scheduled for June 1 at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie, a city-owned facility partially funded through a voter-approved sales tax. The event was organized by a local Islamic group and had already been held at the venue in previous years without major public attention. This time was different.
The original promotional flyer described the gathering as a “Muslim only event” and outlined a strict modest dress code. Women were instructed to wear burkinis while men were expected to wear swim trunks with shirts. The event also advertised halal food and a designated prayer area “for Muslims only.”
After screenshots of the flyer began circulating online, backlash followed quickly. Critics argued that a taxpayer-funded facility should not host an event excluding people based on religion. Questions also emerged about whether the city was violating state or federal anti-discrimination laws by allowing the event to proceed under those terms.
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
Organizers attempted to walk back the language after the criticism intensified. Updated promotional materials removed the phrase “Muslim only event” and replaced it with “All are welcome.” The dress requirements were reframed as a “modest dress-only” policy instead of a religious restriction.
Aminah Knight, one of the event organizers, defended the gathering as an effort to create a comfortable environment for families who prefer modest clothing and conservative social standards. In a statement posted online, she said the event was intended to provide “a respectful and family-friendly environment” rather than exclude anyone.
That explanation did little to calm the political firestorm.
Gov. Greg Abbott escalated the issue dramatically by threatening to pull $530,000 in active state grants tied to the city of Grand Prairie if officials did not cancel the event. Abbott called the original policy “unconstitutional” and labeled it “religious discrimination.”
“I signed HB 4211 into law — banning Muslim-only no-go zones in Texas,” Abbott wrote on X. “Facilities funded by ALL taxpayers are not just for a subset of Texans.”
In a formal letter sent to Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen, Abbott reminded city officials that the grants administered through the Texas Public Safety Office require compliance with state civil rights and anti-discrimination laws.
By Wednesday evening, city officials and representatives from Epic Waters confirmed the event was officially canceled.
“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,” the joint statement read.
The cancellation closes a rapidly escalating dispute that moved from social media outrage to direct state intervention within a matter of days.
