Texas Governor Greg Abbott Cracks Down on Sharia Law After Imam’s Viral Call to Ban Booze and Pork in Houston Shops
A viral video of a Houston imam urging Muslim-owned stores to stop selling alcohol, pork, and lottery tickets has prompted Texas Governor Greg Abbott to reiterate his staunch opposition to Sharia law. In a fiery social media post, Abbott declared that Sharia law and “Sharia cities” are banned in the Lone Star State, escalating a long-simmering debate over religious practices and community developments.
The incident, captured on video and shared widely online, has reignited concerns about cultural integration in America’s Bible Belt, drawing sharp reactions from conservatives praising the governor’s stance and Muslim advocates decrying it as Islamophobic fearmongering.
The Viral Video: Imam’s Protest Against ‘Haram’ Goods Sparks Outrage
The controversy erupted on September 8, 2025, when footage surfaced of a Houston-area imam, affiliated with Masjid At-Tawhid—a Nation of Islam mosque—confronting shop owners. In the video, the cleric, identifiable by his dyed beard (a practice rooted in certain Islamic traditions), demands compliance with Sharia principles by halting sales of pork, booze, and lotto tickets, which he deems haram (forbidden).
Protesters, carrying signs supporting Sharia, joined the imam outside the stores, warning of ongoing demonstrations if demands weren’t met. The imam emphasized, “We should love what Allah loves, and hate what Allah hates,” framing the push as a moral imperative for the community.
The video quickly went viral, amplified by conservative commentators like Amy Mekelburg, who labeled it a sign of encroaching “Sharia patrols” similar to those seen in Europe. Social media users in Texas reacted with a mix of alarm and sarcasm, with one quipping, “Texas isn’t Minnesota—good luck with that.”
Background: Sharia Law in Texas and the EPIC City Project
This isn’t Abbott’s first clash with perceived Sharia influences. The governor has been vocal since February 2025 about the East Plano Islamic Center’s (EPIC) proposed 402-acre “EPIC City” development near Josephine, about 40 miles northeast of Dallas. The project envisions a Muslim-centered community with a mosque, school, homes, and commercial zones, promoted by scholars like Imam Yasir Qadhi and Imam Nadim Bashir as a space for faith-based living.
Abbott condemned it early, posting on X: “To be clear, Sharia law is not allowed in Texas. Nor are Sharia cities.” He signed a 2017 law banning foreign laws like Sharia from Texas courts, and in response to the imam video, his office reiterated: “I signed laws that BAN Sharia Law and Sharia Compounds in Texas.”
State agencies, including the Texas State Securities Board and Funeral Service Commission, launched probes into EPIC for potential securities violations and illegal operations, halting construction in May 2025. Abbott urged residents to report any “Sharia compliance” attempts to law enforcement.
EPIC organizers insist the project complies with U.S. and Texas laws, denying any intent to impose Sharia governance. Imam Bashir clarified that Sharia for Muslims means personal ethics—like prayer and charity—not overriding secular law.
Expert Opinions and Public Backlash
Legal experts note Texas’s 2017 American Laws for American Courts (ALAC) bill already prohibits foreign laws in family and civil disputes, making new “bans” largely symbolic. Civil rights attorney Mustafaa Carroll of CAIR-Texas accused Abbott of “abusing power” and spreading “hateful misinformation,” urging him to visit a mosque to understand Sharia as akin to Jewish halacha or Catholic canon law.
Public reactions split sharply. Conservative voices, including Riley Gaines, hailed Abbott’s post as a defense of Western values: “Sharia law has no place in Western civilization.” On X, #ShariaInTexas trended with over 50,000 posts, many warning of “no-go zones.”
Muslim advocates and allies, like Pastor Andy Odom of a nearby Presbyterian church, defended EPIC as welcoming and non-threatening. CAIR reported a spike in Islamophobic incidents, linking it to the governor’s rhetoric.
Impacts on U.S. Readers: Politics, Economy, and Daily Life in the Heartland
For Texans and Americans nationwide, this saga amplifies culture war tensions. Politically, it bolsters Abbott’s tough-on-immigration image ahead of 2026 midterms, appealing to the GOP base amid Trump’s influence—echoing his promises to prosecute Sharia violations federally. Critics see it as voter suppression of the state’s 500,000 Muslims, fueling lawsuits over religious freedom.
Economically, EPIC City’s halt disrupts potential growth in Collin County, a booming suburb with $100 billion in annual output; delays could cost jobs in construction and retail. Broader scrutiny of Muslim businesses, like the targeted shops, might hike insurance or compliance costs, straining immigrant entrepreneurs who contribute $20 billion yearly to Texas’s economy.
Lifestyle-wise, it heightens everyday anxieties for Muslim families in Houston and Dallas, where pork and beer are staples at barbecues and tailgates. Sports fans packing Cowboys games or Astros outings worry about “patrols” souring community vibes, while it spotlights tech’s role in viral misinformation—algorithms pushing the video to millions, shaping perceptions faster than facts.
Conclusion: A Lone Star Standoff on Faith and Freedom
Governor Greg Abbott’s renewed ban on Sharia law and “Sharia cities” in response to the Houston imam’s viral protest underscores Texas’s fierce commitment to secular governance amid rising religious pluralism. While the video exposes fringe efforts to enforce personal faith publicly, Abbott’s crackdown risks alienating communities and igniting First Amendment battles.
As investigations continue and EPIC City hangs in limbo, the outlook points to prolonged legal fights and polarized discourse. For U.S. readers, this Texas tale reminds us that in a diverse nation, balancing cultural expression with unity demands more dialogue than decrees—lest viral videos divide what barbecues once united.