Sharia in America
Allegation: Muslims want to establish Sharia law (Islamic law, Islamic state, Khilafa) in America. This is the real intent of all mainstream Muslim organizations. Even the ones who are showing a desire to “play by the rules” in America, their real intent is to establish their backward and intolerant laws in America.
Islamophobes claim that mainstream Muslim American organizations are conspiring to implement the Sharia (Islamic law) in America. Islamophobes use the general lack of information about Sharia and Islamic law, and the general fear about Islam and Muslims to promote this fallacy about mainstream Muslim organizations in America. Below are important points to note about where Mainstream Muslim organizations stand on this issue. Mainstream Muslim organizations:
- desire for Muslims to integrate into America’s diverse culture, and to live an Islamic life in America.
- respect, value, and desire to live under the American constitution
- do not see a “conflict” between Islam and the principles upon which America stands
- believe that America’s principles of various freedoms of expression and assembly are much closer to true Islam than the practices in many Muslim countries—even the ones that call themselves “Sharia compliant”.
- Mainstream Muslim organizations in the US do not call for any implementation of Sharia as a governing system in the US.
- believe that it is up to the population of every country, whether Muslim or not, to determine how they are governed. We as Americans must not impose our practices upon the rest of the world.
Sharia is not only about politics. An individual who lives by Sharia is an individual who respects Islamic Law in his or her life and personal affairs.
Most Muslim countries that “claim” to apply Sharia are not applying Sharia in an Islamic way. Rather, it is being applied by a group of dictators who are abusing religion to force their people into submission. Most Muslims believe that Sharia principles, when applied appropriately, can give rise to a good system of governance. However, Muslim countries today who claim to apply Sharia are giving Islam a bad name, and are not applying Sharia. The extreme case is the Taliban’s Sharia, or numerous aspects of Saudi or Iranian Sharia application, which forces Islam on the population. Moderate Muslims, including all mainstream Muslim organizations are opposed to these oppressive “applications of Sharia”. It is crucial for a person to be educated on the subject of Sharia. The article below, by Harvard Law School professor Noah Feldman, titled “Why Sharia” is a must read, which clarifies how , when applied appropriately, Sharia can give rise to a good system of governance.
Like other loyal Americans, Muslims in America may advocate for legislation that they believe is beneficial for society, within the framework of the American constitution, and guided by their faith. For instance, a Christian who, guided by her faith, advocates for laws against abortion, is not necessarily a disloyal American. Likewise, Mainstream Muslim organizations may stand, with other people of faith, against gambling in our cities. Claiming that this is a plan to sabotage America to implement Sharia Law is disingenuous, and only fosters hatred in society.
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