Florida Congressman Randy Fine and Texas Representative Keith Self have introduced a new bill aimed at banning Sharia law in the United States. The legislation, called the “No Shari’a Act,” was announced on Friday and seeks to prevent the application of Sharia law in any situation that might violate constitutional rights.
Fine and Self emphasize that their goal is to protect American culture and ensure that the country does not fall under Islamic influence. Fine expressed his strong stance, stating, “We are not going to become a Muslim nation.” He urged those who wish to live under Sharia law to return to their countries of origin, asserting that their intentions are to preserve American values.
Self echoed these sentiments, arguing that the U.S. should maintain a single legal system based on the Constitution. He expressed concerns about the potential for multiple legal systems to emerge, saying, “We cannot have two different civilizations with different laws.”
The issue gained attention in Texas due to controversy surrounding a proposed Muslim community development outside Dallas, known as EPIC City. Critics feared that this project could lead to the implementation of Sharia law.
The proposed legislation states that the U.S. Constitution should remain the supreme law of the land and that no foreign legal system, including Sharia, should undermine it. It also specifies that courts cannot enforce any judgments based on Sharia law if they violate constitutional rights.
Fine referenced a recent incident in Dearborn, Michigan, where a Christian resident felt unwelcome after opposing a street naming in honor of an Arab American publisher. He argued that the U.S. should not replicate what he described as “barbaric” practices associated with Sharia law.
Self went further, claiming that Sharia law includes practices such as child marriage, domestic violence, honor killings, and genital mutilation, which he believes are incompatible with American law and values.
As this legislation moves forward, it will likely spark further debate about the role of religious law in American society and the ongoing discussions surrounding immigration and cultural integration.
