Conservative Pushback Against Mosque and Temple in Frisco
In a charged meeting on Tuesday, conservatives urged the Frisco City Council to stop the construction of a two-story mosque and a proposed Hindu and Jain temple. The combined size of the mosque alone is about 43,575 square feet.
Larry Brock, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel from Texas, expressed his views based on his experience living under Sharia law while working in Saudi Arabia for seven years. He and others raised concerns about the Islamic perspective, suggesting it conflicts with prevailing American values.
“I never want to have a mosque in Texas,” he declared, going further to imply that the council’s approval of these projects could mean they are unlawfully “aiding, abetting, and providing material support to a terrorist organization.”
Edward Jacob Lang, a pardoned January 6 participant noted for wearing a tactical vest, echoed Brock’s sentiments. He criticized the council for “selling out this country” by allowing foreign cultures to take precedence. After making disruptive remarks about the foreign influences in Texas, including an extreme statement about burning down mosques, Lang was removed from the meeting.
Joel Tenney, an Iowa evangelist clad in a ten-gallon hat, questioned what it means to be a Texan, suggesting that mosques signify a belief system that contradicts American ideals.
Tenney, a firm supporter of former President Donald Trump, made a claim about his ancestry connecting him to historic figures like Sam Houston and Davy Crockett. He also brought up a traumatic experience, describing a kidnapping by Islamists during a mission trip in 2021.
“I never want to have a mosque in Texas again. We shouldn’t permit one here,” he insisted, arguing that such spaces are inconsistent with American identity. He proposed that the appropriate path for American Muslims would be to assimilate into the dominant culture.
Brandon Burden from Kingdom Life reinforced this view, stressing that Muslims should “assimilate rather than inherit a culture.”
Conversely, several attendees pushed back against the negative rhetoric. Yameen Ahmed, a Muslim resident of Frisco, criticized the hateful labeling of Muslims as terrorists and fraudsters, firmly stating, “I reject each and every one of these lies.”
Yoga Gudivada, who identified as Indian, worked to alleviate fears about the proposed Hindu temple, asserting it would benefit the wider Frisco community.
Ultimately, the Frisco City Council decided not to contest the zoning commission’s recommendation, allowing both the mosque and temple projects to proceed. These areas were designated for worship decades ago.
Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney explained that the council lacks a legal basis to challenge the planning decision, reiterating that the Planning and Zoning Commission adhered to established ordinances and policies. He mentioned that reversing a previous zoning decision could result in lawsuits for the council.
