North Carolina’s newest law, enacted without the signature of the governor, outright bans judges in certain cases from turning to Islamic law to determine rulings.
Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, called the measure “unnecessary,” Breitbart reported. And while he didn’t sign it, he didn’t veto it, either — sending the bill on the path toward law by proxy.
The state is now the seventh to approve a measure restricting courts’ ability to consider Shariah law. Others with similar laws: Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Arizona. But North Carolina’s is broader. The new law is confined to family cases and doesn’t address court issues related to contract or commercial laws, Breitbart reported.
Muslim groups, meanwhile, are outraged.
“The intent behind this law is bigoted and it is intended to alienate the Muslim community,” said Jibril Hough, a spokesman for the Islamic Center of Charlotte.
And Khalilah Sabra, who heads the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the Muslim American Foundation in Raleigh, N.C., said, “These bogus attempts to defile Islam have a negative effect on Muslim youth who feel marginalized and discriminated against.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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