{"id":12,"date":"2026-05-06T21:10:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T21:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=12"},"modified":"2026-05-06T21:10:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T21:10:23","slug":"abbott-threatens-to-cut-funding-to-grand-prairie-over-muslim-water-park-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=12","title":{"rendered":"Abbott threatens to cut funding to Grand Prairie over Muslim water park event"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Texas\u00a0Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening to pull hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funding from Grand Prairie if the city allows its water park to host a private party for Muslims.\u00a0<\/p>

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Epic Waters, the city-owned park, is set to host a June 1 celebration for Eid al-Adha, an Islamic holy day. Fliers for the event circulated on social media in recent days, prompting a backlash among conservatives and social media influencers.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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In a statement posted Wednesday on X, Abbott gave the city a deadline of May 11 to cancel the event or lose $530,000 in state funds.<\/p><\/div>

\u201cThat\u2019s religious discrimination,\u201d Abbott wrote on X. \u201cIt\u2019s unconstitutional.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

Abbott pointed to a law he signed last year that targeted the business structure behind The Meadow, a planned Muslim-centric neighborhood about 40\u00a0miles northeast of Dallas,\u00a0previously called Epic City. It is not clear if and how that law applies to private events.<\/p><\/div>

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Fliers initially described the\u00a0event as for “Muslims only,” with a modest dress code and private prayer area. Aminah Knight, a Dallas-area mother of six who is hosting the event, said she did not intend to exclude anyone and later revised the flier to say “All are welcome.”<\/p><\/div>

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This is the third year Knight has hosted the party, which is expected to draw about 600 people.<\/p><\/div>

“As Muslims, we have a modest dress code. Going to a water park can be a challenge,” Knight said.\u00a0“This is a way to have fun and make sure our children and community feel seen.”<\/p><\/div>

Grand Prairie city spokesman Eric Alvarez did not immediately respond to an email from\u00a0The Dallas Morning News<\/em> seeking a response. The city said in a statement Tuesday that it was aware of concerns surrounding the event and has been in contact with the park to ensure all policies and procedures were followed.<\/p><\/div>

Epic Waters is owned by the city and managed by a third party. The park opened in 2017 after voters approved a 0.25% sales tax. The park is available for rent by outside individuals and groups, beginning at $5,000 an hour.<\/p><\/div>

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Abbott has increasingly used funding as leverage, adopting a strategy favored by President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to pull funds from states and cities whose policies did not align with his administration.<\/p><\/div>

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