Indiana Lawmaker Will Not Introduce Anti-Sharia Bill

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said today that Indiana State Representative
Bruce Borders will not introduce an anti-Sharia bill in the Indiana General
Assembly.

Borders had previously been quoted by a local newspaper as saying he “intended
to file a bill in the Indiana House to prevent the recognition of Sharia law in
Indiana courts.” In late December, CAIR’s Chicago and national offices sent a
joint letter to all state lawmakers asking them not to consider what it termed a
“fear-mongering” bill.

SEE: Sharia Law Not an Issue in Indiana

http://tinyurl.com/2exn2ke

Muslim Group Urges Rejection of Anti-Sharia Bill

http://tinyurl.com/64ldo6m

In a recent phone conversation with CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab,
Rep. Borders said that an interview he gave a local newspaper was taken out of
context. Rep. Borders says he was merely discussing a “wish list” with the
reporter that included a possible bill excluding consideration of foreign laws.
He acknowledged discussing Sharia, but only when asked by the reporter.

“I regret being pulled into this issue because I never had the intention of
targeting Indiana’s Muslim constituents specifically,” said Rep. Borders. “I
believe all Americans have the right to freedom of religion and that Muslims
should not be targeted for discriminatory measures.”

“We welcome the opportunity for open dialogue and are happy to help
Representative Borders clear the air on the issue of the reported anti-Sharia
bill,” said Rehab.

Rehab noted that current legislation ensures the supremacy of federal and state
laws and that an anti-Sharia bill would have been redundant.

“Contrary to popular misconceptions promoted in some political circles, the
observance of Islamic principles by American Muslims pertains to private matters
such as marriage and business contracts, and does not impact federal or state
laws or affect the affairs of other citizens,” said CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir
Abbas.

Abbas added that this private observance of religious principles is in line with
the constitutionally-protected rights practiced by Americans of other faiths.

Rep. Borders said that there would be no anti-Sharia bill. Another bill, HB
1078, proposed by Rep. Cynthia Noe would prohibit the application of foreign law
by Indiana courts and void portions of contracts calling for the application of
foreign law. Rep. Borders said that he had not yet read the bill.

Some legal experts find the language of HB 1078 constitutionally problematic for
reasons not related to the practice of the Muslim faith — such as the bill’s
potential interference with international business transactions.

“We will continue to monitor the progress of HB 1078 because we are concerned
that it will adversely affect the constitutional rights of many citizens of
Indiana, regardless of their faith,” Abbas said.

Abbas noted that the head of CAIR’s Oklahoma chapter was successful in blocking
certification of an anti-Sharia amendment to that state’s constitution.

SEE: Judge Rules in Favor of Muslim Man on State Question 755

http://newsok.com/article/3519080

Lawmakers in other states are introducing similar bills.

SEE: Texas Legislator Seeks Ban on Sharia Law

http://tinyurl.com/4n8mmc5

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its
mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect
civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote
justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, E-Mail:
arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham,
312-212-1520, 847-971-7989: E-Mail: cabraham@cair.com; CAIR Staff Attorney
Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com; CAIR National
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787,
202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations