Inside USA's renewed battle over Sharia and Islam

Some of the most fervent supporters of Republican Senator Ted Cruz during his recent push against Sharia law in America were his fellow Republicans. At the party's convention in Dallas, Cruz's rhetoric about the unacceptability of Sharia law resonated with the audience. Texas Governor Greg Abbott followed up by vowing to ban Sharia law outright in his state.

Muslim American leaders and scholars across the country have responded angrily to the renewed wave of anti-Sharia rhetoric. They insist that Sharia, when practiced in the U.S., is a positive set of religious guidelines that share common values with other faith traditions. The critics, they argue, assert falsely that Sharia is a coercive legal code that would undermine American democracy and the Constitution.

Sabeel Ahmed, a prominent advocate of Sharia in the U.S., says many people misunderstand what Sharia actually is. Ahmed, a director of the outreach project GainPeace, travels across the country explaining that Sharia is a moral guide for Muslims in their daily lives, covering everything from prayer to charitable giving. He emphasizes that the word "Sharia" is often misinterpreted to mean only punishments.

Not everyone is concerned about the growing opposition to Sharia, however. Some critics, like Republican Texas representatives Keith Self and Chip Roy, founded the Sharia-Free America Caucus in Congress. The caucus, which has more than 60 Republican members, claims Sharia threatens American values and seeks to replace the legal system. However, the council has yet to pass any meaningful legislation.

Texas has been a particularly hotbed for disputes related to Sharia law. Attorney General Ken Paxton recently demanded documents from the Dallas-based Islamic Tribunal, which provides religious guidance to Muslims. The tribunal clarified that it does not operate like a court, but rather offers religious arbitration for its members. The organization has likened its work to that of Jewish Beth Din courts and Catholic ecclesiastical tribunals.

Scholars like Asma Uddin, a law professor at Michigan State University, argue that the current anti-Sharia rhetoric is driven by politicians seeking to appeal to voters or social media influencers. Uddin says that ordinary Muslim religious practices are being unfairly demonized by politicians who aim to stir up fear and hatred. She insists that Islam is an American faith with a long history in the U.S. and that no one has the right to dictate which religious beliefs can exist in the country.