A planned Islamic community development near a major San Antonio military training base is drawing scrutiny from Rep. Chip Roy (R), who is asking the Trump administration to determine whether the project has violated any federal laws.
Rep. Roy sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, requesting an investigation into the Northside Islamic Center of San Antonio's (NICSA) planned 7.25-acre campus, located roughly 18 miles from Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis.
According to Roy, the project is expected to include a mosque, housing, K-12 education, businesses, and separate prayer areas. His concerns are largely based on an August 14 report from the RAIR Foundation, which he cited in his letter. According to NICSA documents, the organization condemns terrorism.
Roy is particularly questioning the project's funding sources and alleged connections involving Islamic organizations. His letter also raises concerns about statements attributed to NICSA's imam, AbdulRahman Kattan, including comments related to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The congressman is asking federal officials to examine whether any criminal, civil, financial, or immigration laws were violated during the project's development.
"Given NICSA's ties to nefarious groups, questionable funding sources, and faith leaders espousing violent and rhetorical rhetoric," wrote Roy. "I respectfully request your respective agency's assistance in reviewing NICSA's efforts."
Roy also questioned planned Sharia-compliant elements of the development, arguing that no foreign legal system should supersede U.S. law.
For now, Roy is asking the federal government to investigate the project rather than announcing any specific action against it. The requested review could determine whether the concerns raised in his letter warrant further federal scrutiny.
