The Neural Frontier

The Neural Frontier

Faith, Politics, and Power: Why Texas Is Targeting a Major Muslim Community Hub

In Trying to Silence EPIC, Texas Might Be Undermining Itself

MunVaRay's avatar
MunVaRay
Mar 27, 2025
∙ Paid

I moved to Dallas in 2009 for work and, through a friend’s recommendation, discovered a local mosque in Plano. At the time, the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) was modest, nothing more than a small building that many in the community relied on for their prayers and events. That little structure, now used as the mosque’s medical clinic, was the heart of a growing, tightly knit community.

Even though I’m Shia, I felt welcome at EPIC. My friends, who were Sunni, made me feel at home, and I found myself visiting regularly. It became a central part of my life, not just for prayer but for the connections it fostered. Living just across the street, I could easily walk over for Friday prayers, classes, or even just a moment of quiet reflection. The sense of community was palpable—people greeted you warmly, and it felt like everyone was working toward something bigger than themselves.

Thanks for reading The Neural Frontier! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

But the EPI…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of MunVaRay.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 The Neural Frontier · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture