Aminah Knight, a preschool and daycare operator in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has faced significant backlash after organizing a private swim party at Epic Waters, an indoor water park in Grand Prairie, Texas, to celebrate the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha. The event, which included a dress code requiring modest swimwear to accommodate Muslim observance, was initially advertised as "Muslims Only," a phrase that sparked widespread controversy and accusations of discrimination.

Knight, a former public school teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York, began hosting the party two years ago to create a space where Muslim families—particularly women and girls who preferred modest swimwear—could celebrate together comfortably. Despite early resistance from some local mosques, the event gained popularity, drawing hundreds of attendees in its second year. Knight emphasized the family-friendly nature of the swim party and included features like halal food and private prayer areas intended to make observant Muslims feel welcome.

The controversy erupted when conservative media figures criticized the "Muslims Only" wording, arguing that such exclusionary language was inappropriate for an event held at a publicly owned facility. Epic Waters, while a city-owned venue, is available for private rentals, and the City of Grand Prairie initially defended the event’s legality. However, the Texas governor’s office intervened, labeling the party discriminatory and threatening to withhold $530,000 in state funding from the city unless the event was canceled. Despite Knight’s attempts to amend promotional materials to clarify that non-Muslims could attend if they adhered to the modest dress code, the state’s opposition remained firm.

In the wake of the governor’s letter and media attention, Knight received numerous threatening calls and messages containing racial and religious slurs. Her husband, Muhammad Abdullah, an imam at one of Dallas’s oldest Black Muslim congregations, voiced concerns for their family’s safety, even spending nights outside their daycare as a precaution. The couple has since become more publicly active, with Abdullah contemplating a run for local political office to address perceived Islamophobia.

A news conference planned by Knight and local civil rights groups to demand an explanation from the city was disrupted by protesters shouting anti-Muslim and Christian nationalist slogans. The hostile environment underscored the heightened tensions surrounding Muslim visibility and religious accommodation in Texas, where political figures and some media outlets have increasingly portrayed Islam as a threat.

Some members of the Muslim community expressed frustration with Knight’s handling of the event, fearing that the controversy might worsen perceptions of Muslims locally. Knight herself described the experience as a life-changing ordeal, reflecting on the challenges of organizing a religiously sensitive event amid rising anti-Muslim sentiment. Despite the turmoil, she expressed a desire to promote greater understanding, considering future events focused on interfaith dialogue.

The City of Grand Prairie ultimately canceled the party, citing the controversy as a reason, while the governor’s office maintained that taxpayer-funded venues could not facilitate what it deemed discriminatory activities. The dispute highlights broader debates across the United States about religious accommodation, public space usage, and the rising politicization of Muslim American life.