Full Breakdown
Republican Politicians Revive Anti-Sharia Rhetoric Ahead of Midterms
By Drooid · · How we work
Republican Rhetoric at the Convention
At the recent Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Sen. Ted Cruz declared that “Sharia law has no place in America,” and Texas Gov. Their remarks echoed those of Rep. Keith Self and Rep. Chip Roy, co-founders of the Sharia-Free America Caucus, who portray Sharia as a direct threat to the Constitution and Western values. The caucus, now over 60 Republican members, has introduced several anti-Sharia bills since its December launch, none of which have passed.
Muslim Leaders Counter the Narrative
Muslim scholars and civic leaders say Sharia, as practiced in the United States, is a personal religious guide covering prayer, fasting, charity and family matters—comparable to principles in the Ten Commandments or Jewish law. Sudanese-born scholar Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im, former Emory Law professor, called the anti-Sharia campaign “a shocking ignorance” that dehumanizes Muslims.
Legislative and Legal Scrutiny
In August, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton demanded documents from the Dallas-based Islamic Tribunal, alleging possible illegal activity such as acting as a court or applying foreign law. The Tribunal responded with a “Clarification of Mission and Activities,” stating it provides only mediation and religious arbitration, referring any legally enforceable matters to the Texas judicial system, and likening its role to Jewish Beth Din courts and Catholic ecclesiastical tribunals.
Criticism of the Sharia-Free America Caucus
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has designated the caucus an anti-Muslim hate group. CAIR research and advocacy director Corey Saylor likened the caucus’s rhetoric to historic anti-Catholic attacks on Irish Americans, noting that Islam has been present in America for over 250 years and that no constitutional authority permits legislators to exclude a religion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Sharia law has no place in America,” — Sen. Ted Cruz
- “The bigoted rhetoric used by this caucus resembles the hatred that anti-Catholic politicians once unleashed against Irish Americans,” — CAIR
- “This is America, and we will not be governed by sharia law,” — General Ken Paxton, attorney
- “Islam is not to be feared,” — Illinois-based Sabeel Ahmed, director of an outreach project called GainPeace
