Muslim celebration at Grand Prairie water park canceled after Gov. Abbott threatens to pull city funding

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - A planned celebration of an important Muslim holiday at a Grand Prairie water park has been canceled after backlash over religious discrimination.

Muslim water park event canceled

What we know:

DFW Epic Eid was planned to be held on June 1st to celebrate Eid al-Adha, an important day of celebration in the Islamic calendar, at Epic Waters in Grand Prairie. Now, the private event will no longer take place.

The City of Grand Prairie released the following statement to FOX 4 on Wednesday:

"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 city had previously stated it would work with Epic Waters management to ensure all policies were being adhered to before the event was canceled.

Threats from Abbott lead to cancellation

Dig deeper:

A letter sent to the City of Grand Prairie from the office of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to pull $530,000 in public safety grants if the city held the event.

The letter states that the event was being advertised as "Muslim Only" before changing its advertisements to state only a requirement of a modest dress code.

"The event purports to be public-facing and discriminatory at the same time: All Muslims—but only Muslims—may attend. An event at a city-owned pool that was publicly and indiscriminately advertised as "Whites only" would surely violate the Constitution," part of the letter reads.

The event's website states that women attendees must wear "burkinis" and men attending must wear swim trunks and shirts.

In a statement on DFW Epic Eid's website, organizer Dr. Aminah Knight wrote: "If you are a friend of a different faith who wants to celebrate the Eid holiday with us and adhere to the modest dress code…. this event is FOR YOU TOO!"

The website notes over 600 people attended the event last year.

What they're saying:

Dr. Amina Knight released the following statement to FOX 4 on the event's cancellation:

I am deeply disappointed that DFW Epic Eid has been canceled.

What began as a private event for the Muslim community to celebrate Eid in a joyful and modest environment became something much bigger than I ever imagined. The flyer was originally shared within private community spaces, but it was later circulated more broadly by people who were not interested in attending, but rather in creating division and controversy.

While I did receive hateful messages from people who misunderstood the event, I also believe this moment sparked important conversations about Muslims in America and how our community is viewed.

My faith is not something to fear.

Not because I am personally afraid of disagreement, but because fear and misunderstanding can grow into discrimination, and that is dangerous for any society. When people begin to see their neighbors as foreign or as though they do not belong, it weakens the fabric of our nation.

I was born here. I was raised here. I was educated here. I belong here. I am proud to be both Muslim and American. I have spent nearly 20 years serving my community as an educator and attended NYU, USC, and Vanderbilt University.

And despite the negativity, I still choose conversation over division.

So this Fourth of July, I will be partnering with brothers and sisters from other faith communities to host an interfaith event called "The Great American Cookout," where people from different backgrounds can come together, connect, and truly get to know one another as fellow Americans.

Although this experience has been painful, my faith teaches me that within every difficulty there is ease.

And I believe something beautiful can still come from this.