{"id":2599961,"date":"2026-05-07T14:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T18:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-waterpark-cancels-muslim-event-after-abbott-threatens-to-pull-funds\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T14:01:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T18:01:46","slug":"texas-waterpark-cancels-muslim-event-after-abbott-threatens-to-pull-funds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-waterpark-cancels-muslim-event-after-abbott-threatens-to-pull-funds\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas waterpark cancels Muslim event after Abbott threatens to pull funds"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftexas-waterpark-cancels-muslim-event-after-abbott-threatens-to-pull-funds%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2599961&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Grand Prairie, Texas canceled a privately organized \u201cEpic Eid\u201d event at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened too withhold $530,000 in state grants if the city didn\u2019t end the party. The flyer initially indicated a \u201cMuslim only\u201d celebration with a modest dress code, prompting Abbott to call it \u201creligious discrimination\u201d adn \u201cunconstitutional,\u201d arguing it was similar to advertising a \u201cWhites only\u201d event at a public facility.<\/p>\n<p>The event organizer, Aminah Knight, later said the celebration was actually open to people of other faiths, describing it as a rental event and revising materials to emphasize it was a modest dress-only, family-pleasant gathering for Eid, including for non-Muslim friends who want to participate.<\/p>\n<p>The dispute also comes amid broader Abbott actions and policies toward Muslim-related organizations and related proposals in Texas, including prior designations Abbott made and a law restricting religious discrimination in certain housing developments. The project tied to those housing issues remains in legal disputes.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>The city of Grand Prairie, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"253\">Texas<\/a>, canceled a private party for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/muslims\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"704\">Muslims<\/a> at a water park after Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/greg-abbott\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1373\">Greg Abbott <\/a>(R-TX) threatened he would pull $530,000 in state grants to the city. <\/p>\n<p>The event, which would have celebrated a Muslim holy day on June 1, was scheduled to take place at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4559291\/texas-waterpark-cancel-muslim-only-event-abbott-call-out\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Texas waterpark cancels \u2018Muslim only\u2019 event after Abbott calls them out<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4558157\/alan-dershowitz-turns-on-democratic-party\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>After 70 years of loyalty, Alan Dershowitz turns on Democratic Party<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4556807\/zohran-mamdani-all-foam-no-beer-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018Mamdani is all foam and no beer\u2019: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>An early version of the flyer said that the celebration would be a \u201cMuslim only event\u201d and require a \u201cmodest dress code.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A \u201cMuslim only\u201d event at a city-run waterpark in Texas has been canceled after major backlash from the state\u2019s governor.<\/p>\n<p>A local Islamic group rented out the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie for its annual &#8220;Epic Eid&#8221; celebration on June 1, advertising the party as a\u2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Yr8wa7zNuH\">pic.twitter.com\/Yr8wa7zNuH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Fox News (@FoxNews) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FoxNews\/status\/2052394435229393115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The event\u2019s organizer, Aminah Knight, later clarified that the event was open to people following other religions. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cDFW Epic Eid is a privately organized and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/backlash-erupts-after-city-owned-water-park-advertises-muslims-only-day\/\" title=\"Backlash Erupts After ... Advertises &#039;Muslims Only&#039; Day\">privately funded event held<\/a> through a standard rental of Epic Waters, just like many other private gatherings hosted at the park,\u201d Knight <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/dfwepiceid.com\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/dfwepiceid.com\/\">said<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn response to feedback, we have updated our materials to clearly reflect that this is a modest dress-only event, centered around a respectful and family-friendly environment,\u201d the organizer continued. \u201cSo if you are a friend of a different faith who wants to celebrate the Eid holiday with us and adhere to the modest dress code\u2026. this event is FOR YOU TOO!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Abbott slammed the event, calling it \u201cunconstitutional\u201d and \u201creligious discrimination.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/muslims-only-water-park-event-shut-down-after-texas-gov-greg-abbott-threatens-city\/\" title=\"&#039;Muslims Only&#039; ... Event Shut Down After ... .... ... Threatens ...\">city-owned water park<\/a> in Grand Prairie openly advertised a \u201cMUSLIMS ONLY\u201d event \u2014 closed to the general public,\u201d Abbott wrote in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/GregAbbott_TX\/status\/2052074705582989453\">statement on X<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s religious discrimination. It\u2019s unconstitutional.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Abbott added that he would pull $530,000 in city funding if the city did not cancel the event. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe event purports to be public facing and discriminatory at the same time: All Muslims\u2014but only Muslims\u2014may attend,\u201d the governor wrote in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/GregAbbott_TX\/status\/2052074705582989453\">letter<\/a> to Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen.\u00a0 \u201cAn event at a city-owned pool that was publicly and indiscriminately advertised as \u201cWhites only\u201d would surely violate the Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In November, Abbott designated the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/muslim-brotherhood\/\">Muslim Brotherhood<\/a> and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cair\/page\/2\/?_amp=true\">Center for American Islamic Relations<\/a> as \u201cradical extremist\u201d and foreign terrorist organizations. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4552487\/iran-war-is-us-taking-out-trash-tiana-lowe-doescher\/\"><strong>IRAN WAR IS US \u2018TAKING OUT THE TRASH\u2019: TIANA LOWE DOESCHER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A few months earlier, Abbott signed a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >bill banning residential property developments<\/a> from being limited to individuals of one religious belief. The legislation was <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">in<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3379104\/cornyn-asks-doj-investigate-proposed-muslim-focused-community\/\"> response<\/a><\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3379104\/cornyn-asks-doj-investigate-proposed-muslim-focused-community\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3379104\/cornyn-asks-doj-investigate-proposed-muslim-focused-community\/\">  to a<\/a> muslim development \u2014 the East Plano Islamic Center \u2014 that was proposed last year. The development would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cornyn-asks-doj-to-investigate-proposed-muslim-focused-community-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Cornyn asks DOJ to investigate proposed Muslim-focused community - Washington Examiner\">feature single-family lots<\/a>, townhomes, apartments, a mosque, a K-12 faith-based school, elderly and assisted living, and a community college, among other things. <\/p>\n<p>The project remains embroiled in legal battles. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Grand Prairie canceled a Muslim water-park party after Abbott threatened state grants<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2599962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25288552874371_6c5d7b.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3697,3869,79273,3694,79272],"class_list":["post-2599961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-abbott","tag-canceled","tag-muslim-event","tag-texas","tag-waterpark"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25288552874371_6c5d7b.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599961"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2599965,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599961\/revisions\/2599965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2599962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}