A tax-payer funded Texas waterpark is forced to ditch their 'Muslim-only' event after Gov Greg Abbott threatened to cut their funds.
Epic Waters in Grand Prairie, Texas drew outrage this week as it released fliers for the June 1 event that celebrates the religious holiday Eid al-Adha, selling tickets for $55 a piece.
The holiday commemorates faith and sacrifice, and is one of the two most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
The city canceled the event 'Epic Eid' on Wednesday after Abbott gave Grand Prairie an ultimatum to scrap the event or lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funds.
'A city-owned water park in Grand Prairie openly advertised a "MUSLIMS ONLY" event -- closed to the general public,' Abbott wrote on X.
'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 commit to never allowing something like it again by May 11th, or lose $530,000 in state grants,' he continued.
'Let this be a lesson to local officials: Facilities funded by ALL taxpayers are not just for a subset of Texans.'
Taxpayer-funded waterpark Epic Waters in Grand Prairie, Texas sparked backlash by promoting a Muslim-only day to celebrate Eid
Abbott (pictured) gave Grand Prairie an ultimatum to scrap the event or lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funds
A city spokesperson told The Dallas Morning News that the canceled event was 'in the best interest' of Grand Prairie.
The original flier event stated the celebration was a 'Muslim only event' and emphasized a 'modest dress code.'
'Please follow the event’s modest dress code, and practice ḥayāʾ (modesty) through respectful behavior,' the event said.
Attendees were 'expected to dress in accordance with Islamic values', and the waterpark said all swimwear must meet Muslim guidelines.
But the backlash caused the event organizer, Aminah Knight, to update the event's rules.
'In 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,' she stated on the event website.
Knight added the event was centered around '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.'
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Epic Waters is funded by an additional sales tax on Grand Prairie residents, drawing questions over how it could exclude certain demographics from its space
Epic Waters included on the event a list of suggested swimwear for women to 'make a stylish - and modest - splash!'
The new poster removed 'Muslim only event,' while swapping out 'For Muslims only' with 'All are welcome.'
Epic Eid was criticized across social media, with many questioning if a taxpayer-funded space is allowed to exclude certain demographics from its events.
Conservative commentator and radio host Dana Loesch led the backlash, questioning: 'How is a taxpayer-funded, city-owned entity allowed to discriminate against non-Muslims at a public water park?'
Epic Waters, an 80,000-square-foot space, opened in 2017 as a city-owned events park for Grand Prairie residents.
The waterpark cost taxpayers $88 million, and was funded by a quarter-cent sales tax on Grand Prairie residents, which was approved by voters in 2014, according to the Dallas Morning News.