A private Eid celebration booked at Epic Waters, the city-owned indoor waterpark in Grand Prairie, has morphed into a statewide political flash point after a flyer for the event circulated online with the phrase "Muslims only." The June 1 gathering, which organizers say is meant to celebrate Eid al-Adha, has drawn fierce backlash on social media and an unusually public warning from the governor's office, all centered on whether a taxpayer-funded venue can be rented for a faith-based event that limits attendance.
Abbott Demands Cancellation, Threatens City With Grant Repayment
Gov. Greg Abbott has labeled the event religious discrimination and told the City of Grand Prairie to cancel the booking or repay roughly $530,000 in state grants by May 11, according to X. Abbott pointed to a law he signed, HB 4211, and said state attorneys had sent a written notice to city officials citing state and federal civil rights statutes. It is a sharp escalation of what began as a local, privately organized celebration at a municipal waterpark.
A city-owned water park in Grand Prairie openly advertised a "MUSLIMS ONLY" event -- closed to the general public.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 6, 2026
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…
Organizer Says It Was Meant As Private, Modest-Dress Celebration
Dr. Aminah Knight, who launched the DFW Epic Eid event two years ago, told NBC 5 that the original "Muslims only" wording on a private flyer was not intended to shut people out and that organizers have since updated the language to emphasize modest dress and to welcome friends who follow that code, as reported by NBC 5.
The event's official site now bills the June 1 gathering as a "modest dress-only" Eid celebration featuring halal meals, a private prayer room and family-friendly activities. It notes that friends of different faiths who adhere to the modest dress guidelines are welcome, according to DFW Epic Eid.
City: Epic Waters Is City Property And Available For Rental
The City of Grand Prairie issued a brief statement confirming that Epic Waters is owned by the city, managed by a third-party operator and, like other municipal facilities, can be rented by individuals and organizations. The city said it is in contact with park management and reviewing whether existing policies were followed, according to the City of Grand Prairie. For now, city hall is trying to thread the needle between treating Epic Waters like any other rental venue and responding to the governor's very public ultimatum.
Legal Questions Remain
Federal law bars discrimination in places of public accommodation, but how that applies when a public facility is privately rented can be legally complicated. The statute 42 U.S.C. §2000a prohibits denying goods, services or access on the basis of religion, race or national origin, according to the U.S. Code as published on govinfo.
The governor's office has framed the Grand Prairie dispute as a civil rights issue and says it has taken steps to enforce nondiscrimination standards, according to his post on X.
Organizers say the flyer language has been corrected and that extra security will be on hand at the June 1 celebration. City officials say they are reviewing the governor's notice and weighing their next steps, leaving the status of the event, and that $530,000 in state grant money, hanging in the balance.
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