In a decisive statement issued on Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott reinforced the state's steadfast ban on Sharia Law in response to a controversial campaign initiated by Imam F. Qasim ibn Ali Khan, which has recently gained significant traction on social media. The governor's remarks come as Khan, an imam affiliated with the Nation of Islam, publicly pressurized Muslim-owned businesses to cease the sale of products he deems in violation of Islamic law, including pork, alcohol, and lottery tickets.
The controversy ignited when Khan's confrontational tactics were captured in a video that quickly went viral. In the footage, he is seen admonishing a store employee, insisting that the presence of such products in Muslim-owned stores is a transgression against their faith. This prompted Governor Abbott to reiterate the legal framework of Texas, stating unequivocally that he had enacted legislation that prohibits not only Sharia Law but also what he referred to as "Sharia Compounds" within the state's jurisdiction.
Governor Abbott addressed the situation head-on, declaring that no individual or business in Texas should live in fear of "fools like this," referring to Khan's actions. He directed those subjected to attempts at Sharia compliance to seek assistance from local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Public Safety. A subsequent statement from Abbott's office underscored the state's dedication to ensuring equal rights under the law for all its citizens, and affirmed that any legal system that fails to honor human rights is categorically banned in Texas.
The governor referenced a piece of legislation he signed in 2017, which explicitly bars judges from applying any form of foreign law, including Muslim law, in the courtrooms of the United States. This move, Abbott argues, is a safeguard to maintain the supremacy of state and federal law over any foreign legal systems that could potentially infringe upon the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all Americans.
Imam Khan, leading Masjid At-Tawhid located in the Houston area, has not only threatened Muslim business owners with boycotts and public protests but has also announced the initiation of a nationwide protest movement aimed at Muslim businesses that fail to adhere to Islamic teachings. "We're kicking off a national protest and demonstration campaign against all Muslim businesses that have haram in their stores," Khan stated emphatically in the video that sparked the widespread reaction.
However, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has criticized Governor Abbott's response, labeling it as an unnecessary propagation of fear. CAIR has sought to clarify the concept of Sharia, likening it to other religious legal frameworks such as Halacha for Jews or Canon law for Catholics, and emphasizing that the daily practices of Texas Muslims, including prayer, charity, fasting during Ramadan, and speaking against injustice, are all expressions of Sharia.
Khan's social media presence, particularly on TikTok where he boasts 17,000 followers, has become a platform for him to showcase confrontations with employees of Muslim-owned stores, warning them of the consequences of selling haram goods. "This is the beginning of the campaign. We're serving notice to America and the world that enough is enough," Khan declared, setting an ultimatum for businesses to alter their inventory or face collective action.
Despite the imam's fiery rhetoric, legal experts have noted that his actions have not crossed any legal boundaries. Peaceful protests, as protected under the First Amendment, remain a right, and as of now, no reports of violence or threats have surfaced.
The Daily Mail reported that Masjid At-Tawhid maintains an affiliation with the Nation of Islam, a group that is considered by many mainstream American Muslims to be ideologically extreme. Nonetheless, Khan's initiative, which he describes as religious outreach or da'wah, continues as he stands outside storefronts with printed signs, accusing Muslim merchants of prioritizing financial gain over faith.
As the situation evolves, the broader implications of this campaign and the governor's response are yet to be fully realized. However, what remains clear is the firm stance of the Texas government against the imposition of any legal system that could undermine the state's commitment to equality and justice for all.
