This was a private event held and paid for by the group for a set amount of time at the park. It is a normal occurrence at parks like this. If this had been a Christian church doing the event it would have caused no backlash and been accepted. But because it was a Muslim sponcered event with mostly clothing of this sect of the Islamic faith that also encouraged the eating of foods not normally eaten by Christians it caused a backlash of Islamophobia. Hate for people and customs different from the Christian religion practiced by white people is common in the nearly theocratic Texas. Hugs
The park is available for rent at a cost of $5,000 an hour, Dallas News reported.
A private event at a Texas city-owned water park has been canceled following backlash and a direct threat by Gov. Greg Abbott to withhold more than $500,000 in state public safety funding.
A spokesperson for the City of Grand Prairie said Thursday the city canceled the DFW Epic Eid Celebration scheduled for June 1 at the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark.
“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 spokesperson said.
The event at the city-owned waterpark was initially promoted with flyers describing it as “Muslims only” and included a modest dress code requiring burkinis for women, halal food, a private prayer room and rules encouraging attendees to maintain personal space and “lower the gaze.”
After backlash on social media, organizers updated promotional materials to state that “all are welcome,” provided attendees follow the modest dress code.
Abbott’s Public Safety Office shared a letter with The Christian Post that had been sent to Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen warning that the “DFW Epic Eid” event “was publicly and openly advertised as discriminating based on religion” and therefore violated agreements between the city and the Public Safety Office.
The letter from Public Safety Office Executive Director Andrew Friedrichs said the event “purports to be public facing and discriminatory at the same time” and compared it to advertising for a “Whites only” event.
“All Muslims — but only Muslims — may attend,” Friedrichs wrote. “An event at a city-owned pool that was publicly and indiscriminately advertised as ‘Whites only’ would surely violate the Constitution.”
Event organizer Dr. Aminah Knight later updated the online flyer to clarify that the DFW Eid Celebration is a “privately organized and privately funded event held through a standard rental of Epic Waters, just like many other private gatherings hosted at the park.”
“At its core, this event is about creating a space where individuals and families, particularly those who value modest dress and a modest environment, can come together and enjoy a recreational setting comfortably,” Knight wrote.
Knight added that anyone “of a different faith who wants to celebrate the Eid holiday with us and adhere to the modest dress code” is welcome to attend.
A screenshot of an online flyer for a 2025 “Muslims only” event at the Epic Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie, Texas. | Screenshot/Facebook
A Facebook post shared by Knight in May 2025 promoting last year’s event included a flyer calling it an “exclusive Muslim-only event” and stating that the taxpayer-funded facility was “closed to the public” for “Muslims only.”
It is unclear whether the City of Grand Prairie approved the flyer or its contents. The city did not respond to CP’s request for comment by Thursday afternoon.
While the 2026 event flyer listed Knight as the organizer, a video shared on social media by Muhammad Abdullah, listed as the director of Outreach & Youth at Al-Hedayah Academy in Fort Worth, claimed he organized the event.
In a video posted Tuesday, Abdullah blamed “Islamophobia” for the public response to the now-canceled event and said, “By the way, I’m organizing that with my wife.”
CP reached out to Al-Hedayah Academy, where Abdullah is pictured as a member of the mosque’s “spiritual team,” seeking clarification Thursday on whether the mosque was involved in organizing the event.
According to Knight, more than 600 people attended the event last year, and all “lovers of modest fashion and those who are curious about Eid and what modesty at a waterpark can look like” are welcome to attend.
Owned by the city of Grand Prairie near the Dallas and Tarrant County border, Epic Waters — which has no ties to the planned Muslim-centric development formerly known as “EPIC City” — is an 80,000-square-foot waterpark with a retractable roof and the longest indoor lazy river in North Texas, according to its website.
Epic Waters opened in 2017 after voters approved a 0.25% sales tax, according to city documents. The park is available for rent at a cost of $5,000 an hour, Dallas News reported.
Zohran Mamdani rides an A Train at 190th Street after speaking uptown Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Manhattan, New York City. (Barry Williams/New York Daily News/TNS)
Zohran Mamdani’s win as the mayor of New York represents a major victory for immigrants, the underprivileged, and the push for independence from billionaires and lobbyists. But his rapid ascent to becoming one of the most influential politicians in the United States should come as no surprise.
His populist economic message — that the few have much while the many struggle with very little — highlights the growing outrage over wealth inequality, greed and poverty. Mamdani’s landslide victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent a clear signal: People want a government that works for everyone.
His victory honors the foundation of this nation, strengthening us by embracing the talents, skills and ideas of immigrants rather than succumbing to fear or prejudice. Mamdani achieved a historic win with a record number of votes, including support from Jewish communities, despite facing challenges like Islamophobia and accusations of antisemitism, fostering a much-needed multicultural spirit in these divisive times.
Mamdani fostered a sense of unity with a “we are all in this together” approach, visiting synagogues, temples and community celebrations like Diwali and Eid; joining parades; tackling issues like poverty, housing and disparities in health and education; and working alongside justice organizations and police departments.
He’ll oversee the nation’s largest police force, run the biggest education department, and manage a $115 billion budget with 300,000 employees, all while dealing with potential disruptions from President Donald Trump.
A diverse coalition of voters powered his historic victory, supported by noncitizens who, despite being unable to vote, felt represented and contributed through canvassing and donations.
It’s crucial to emphasize what made Mamdani’s victory so remarkable.
He presented a compelling vision for New York, a stark contrast with Cuomo’s message.
Thirty-seven percent of New York’s population, around 3 million people, are immigrants. This vibrant community hails from Europe, the Caribbean, China, South Asia, the Middle East, Mexico, and beyond, greatly enriching the city’s economy and culture, with some neighborhoods having half their residents as immigrants.
Mamdani wasn’t defined by his Muslim identity, despite being part of the largest minority religion in New York and the United States.
What truly stood out was his background as the son of filmmaker Mira Nair, his upbringing as a social democrat, his work as a community organizer, and his rise as a council member. Additionally, his father, Mahood Mamdani, is a prominent professor at Columbia, known for his writings on colonialism and post-colonialism. Among his many books, “Good Muslim, Bad Muslim” is taught at several universities.
Mamdani’s political views are shaped by a family history rooted in anti-colonial and pro-Palestinian activism. His middle name, “Kwame,” highlights his pan-African heritage, a legacy from his father. It pays tribute to Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a prominent leader in the anti-colonial and pan-African liberation movements.
Building on his free juice pledge for students when he ran for vice president of his high school class, Mamdani now promises bold initiatives for New Yorkers — free buses, free child care, a rent freeze and city-run grocery stores. Mamdani’s proposals rattled the business elite, real estate moguls, and the capitalist establishment, enduring millions of dollars in attack ads labeling him as antisemitic and a socialist extremist.
Mamdani has promised to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to New York City, site of the United Nations. According to a recent poll, a third of voters support Mamdani’s commitment to uphold the International Criminal Court warrant against the Israeli prime minister.
Mamdani stood firm on his stance despite criticism, even speaking directly to Jewish voters: “I believe our city should comply with international law,” he said at a town hall in May put on by UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council . “If someone asked me the same question about Vladimir Putin, my response would be the same. It’s about showing the leadership I believe is missing both in our city and our country.”
Mamdani co-founded the Bowdoin College chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, supports Black Lives Matter and is actively involved with Within Our Lifetime, a grassroots pro-Palestinian organization. These connections link him to global activism and align him against the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other lobbying groups that support Israel.
Mamdani faces criticism for his progressive views, activism and comments about Israel. Nevertheless, he enjoys strong support from younger activists, including some Jewish allies (exit polls indicate about a third of New York City’s Jewish population voted for him), while encountering opposition from the older Democratic Party establishment and influential pro-Israel lobbies.
Is Mamdani’s victory the wave of the future?
This is a contributed opinion column. Mohammed Khaku is past president of Al Ahad Islamic Center in Allentown. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication. For more details on commentaries, read our guide to guest opinions at themorningcall.com/opinions.
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