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Oklahoma residents to vote on ban of Sharia law on Nov.2
by Joseph Ernest September 27, 2010
Updated: October 22, 2010
Updated: November 2, 2010
Newscast Media --Oklahoma has become the first state in the nation to impose a ban on Sharia law, when Oklahoma residents voted on November 2, on the State Question 755, the "Save Our State" constitutional amendment that would prohibit state courts from considering Islamic Sharia law in making rulings.
The measure however, has its critics despite passing with an overwhelming majority. Critics insist that xenophobia is the root of the amendment and believe supporters of the measure are using scare tactics to make Islam objectionable.
Rep. Cory Williams (D-OK), who was one of the 12 lawmakers to oppose the measure, said, "If I was a Muslim Oklahoman, I would be offended by my religion being singled out.” Ironically, to defend against such claims, Republican lawmakers insist that the bill protects the courts from being hijacked by the people we are "at war" with:
Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, said he authored the legislation that spurred the ballot measure because he argues Sharia law provisions that are practiced in some countries — such as the unequal treatment of women — run in contrast with American principles. Although he is not aware of any Oklahoma courts making decisions based on Sharia law, he said actions by other countries and isolated events in the United States show this is a growing threat and action needs to be taken before it reaches Oklahoma.
“This effort is all about protecting our court system from being hijacked by an ideology that does not have America’s long-term future in mind,” he said. “Our courts ought to follow American federal and state law, and there is no logical reason why a court would look to the law of France or Saudi Arabia.”[...]
Rep. Lewis Moore, R-Arcadia, said he views the criticism against the state questions as unfounded. He said Sharia law is a threat to the country that needs to be addressed.
“Are we not at war with this ideology?” he asked. “Are we not at war with them? Then why would we give in to this?”
Many Republican candidates have also adopted anti-Sharia fear-mongering as a campaign tool, including Tennessee’s Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R), Tennessee House candidate Vijay Kumar (R), and Minnesota House candidate Lynne Torgerson (I).
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