CAIR Seeks Injunction On Oklahoma Vote Banning Sharia Law

Muneer Awad, director of the Oklahoma chapter of  the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), is suing the Oklahoma Board of Elections, saying an approved ballot measure violates the First Amendment and interferes with his family’s ability to honor his will after he dies.

The proposition, which will go into effect once votes are certified on Nov. 9, amends the Oklahoma constitution and “forbids courts from considering or using international law [and] forbids courts from using or considering Sharia Law.”

Awad said in the suit that in his will he directs that his possessions be divided “in accordance with the guidance contained in the prophetic teachings” of Islam.

This is a law to answer a problem that does not exist.

Joseph Thai, a professor at the University of Oklahoma’s College of Law, said the ballot measure is “an answer in search of a problem.” He said he knows of no other state that has approved similar measures.

“There is no plausible danger of international law or Sharia law overtaking the legal system,” Thai said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. He said courts only consider international law when deciding issues involving a federal treaty, a business contract or a will that incorporates international law.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.