Tennesse may become the first state to outlaw Shariah law. Islamic academics protest that the state bill is unconstitutional, as it would make it illegal for Muslims to worship. Conservative state lawmakers say the measure targets only those who practice what they call the "extreme" form of Shariah law, or jihadism. Republican Sen. Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro, the bill's sponsor, says making Shariah a crime would be a "powerful counterterrorism tool." Is this an anti-terrorism measure, or an attack on the First Amendment rights of American Muslims? (Watch an AP report about the controversy)
Banning Shariah law would be banning Islam: Shariah law isn't about "imposing Islamic beliefs" on others, says Rob Boston at The Wall of Separation. It mostly deals with "purely religious matters" such as "when to pray, how to pray, where to pray, etc." This "blatantly unconstitutional" bill would make anyone engaging in such private religious activities a felon. Conservative lawmakers must drop this "anti-Muslim crusade."
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