On Tuesday, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals declared an Oklahoma ban on Sharia Law—overwhelmingly made part of the state Constitution through a 2010 ballot measure—unconstitutional. In their 37-page decision, the Denver-based three-judge panel called the measure discriminatory and agreed it violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
This is the highest court to date that’s struck down an anti-Sharia Law law. There’s no word yet on whether Oklahoma will appeal that ruling to the Supreme Court, though it begs the question: What affect, if any, will this have on House Bill 2029, Pennsylvania’s similar House legislation banning all foreign law?
“The Oklahoma decision is the strongest indication that we, too, would win in a court of law,” says Moein Khawaja, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations. “The sponsors of House Bill 2029 should ponder whether or not it’s worth engaging in a time-consuming lawsuit.” Read more…
In commemorating the 10th anniversary of the terror attacks, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Moein Khawaja said in a Philadelphia Metro newspaper interview, “9/11 impacted the American Muslim community two ways. The attacks were on our country and faith. As we grieved for the lives of the innocent, we had to deal with our faith being tarnished. It has been a challenge for many Muslims; however, 9/11 did start a national conversation about Islam’s place in America.”
Sometimes this conversation has been positive and oftentimes negative. But one thing’s for sure, CAIR-Philadelphia is there setting the record straight, making sure that Muslims and Islam are portrayed in a fair and accurate manner.
Whether it is in the form of a donation, a greeting card to staff or an encouraging phone call, we could not have done this without you. We at CAIR-Philadelphia would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation. Moving into 2012, we have a lot to celebrate. Read more…
As our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate Hanukkah and Christians prepare for Christmas, Muslims must contend with the fact that their own elected officials have capitulated to the hysteria of Islamophobia and are contemplating an anti-sharia bill.
On Wednesday, December 14, CAIR-Philadelphia and interfaith leaders held a press conference to challenge House Bill 2029. House Bill 2029 is the latest in a series of bills introduced in state legislators across the country, many of which have passed. They are written by anti-Muslim, white supremacist David Yerushalmi. Although the bill itself does not mention sharia, the legislative intent is clear by its sponsors. Blatant government action against sharia, and by extension all Muslims, will not be tolerated and CAIR-Philadelphia will take a stand. Read more…
What you don’t know can most likely kill you. That’s at least the thought process behind a new bill that’ll be considered in the Legislature when it reconvenes next year. Rep. RoseMarie Swanger of Lebanon County has introduced House Bill 2029, which would amend Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, prohibiting “the application of foreign law which would impair constitutional rights.” And her bill is being supported by more than 40 state reps for one reason: Fighting commonwealth Islamic Jihad within the walls of state government. Read more…
Should religious law have any place in Pennsylvania courtrooms? One state lawmaker says no, and she’s pushing a bill in Harrisburg to ban them.
State Rep. RoseMarie Swanger, R – Lebanon Co., said she’s only trying to protect women’s rights in divorce and custody cases, but interfaith leaders claim the bill is vague and violates their religious rights.
“This proposed legislation is simply unconstitutional,” said Amara Chaudhry, an attorney and civil rights director for the Philadelphia Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Read more…
