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Muslim leaders and residents demand explanation after city cancels Eid event at Epic Waters
Summary
Multiple residents and community leaders told the council they were hurt and frustrated after the city canceled a private Eid event at Epic Waters; speakers asked whether the decision followed a policy review or resulted from political pressure from the governor’s office and asked the city to reschedule and apologize.
Several residents and community leaders used the public comment period to press city officials for transparency after the cancellation of a planned Eid celebration at Epic Waters. Mohammed Abdullah, an event organizer, said the city initially told organizers “policies and procedures have been followed,” and later reversed that message. He asked bluntly, “So my question is, what changed? Did the policies change? Did the procedures change? Was it political pressure?”
Dr. Angela Lucky, who identified herself as a lifelong Grand Prairie resident and longtime activist, said the cancellation was "deeply disappointing" and urged city leaders to meet with Muslim community organizers to restore trust. Nourd Wythe said the city ‘caved to illegal pressure from Governor Abbott’ and called for rescheduling; Michael Phillips of Human Rights Dallas criticized the police response to outside disruption at a related press event and said the department allowed a heckler to drown out speakers.
Speakers called for a full public explanation of the cancellation decision, for confirmation whether the city acted independently or after contact from the governor’s office, and for a public apology and rescheduling of the Eid event on city-owned property. Several commenters said the decision had a disproportionate emotional impact on Muslim children and families and asked the council to restore trust.
