Judge Blocks Sharia Ban in Oklahoma

Residents of Oklahoma are once again threatened by the slow creep of Sharia law, after a federal judge in Oklahoma City issued an order blocking implementation of a constitutional amendment that prohibits judges from considering Sharia, or any international law, in making decisions. The ballot measure passed with 70 percent of the vote in this year’s elections. Muneer Awad, executive director of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, filed suit, claiming the law condemns Islam as “a threat to Oklahoma,” and violates his constitutional rights by defining what “my faith is and what my faith is not.” State Rep. Rex Duncan (R), a key proponent of the measure, conceded that Oklahoma courts have not, to date, considered Sharia law in making decisions, but called the amendment a “preemptive strike against activist judges.” The temporary stay will be in effect for 14 days, while parties in the suit prepare legal briefs.