Kansas bans Islamic law

Republican Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed a bill aimed at keeping state courts and agencies from using Islamic or other non-U.S. laws when making decisions, his office said on Friday, drawing criticism from a national Muslim group.


    1. Image: Kim Ruocco, the national director of suicide education and outreach at Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors


      Prime for msnbc.com


      Memorial Day grief for military suicide families


    2. Image: Shaun Wilson-Miller


      youtube.com



      Updated 44 minutes ago

      5/27/2012 5:08:17 AM +00:00




      Australia teen dies after ‘Final Goodbye’ video


    3. TSA eases airport screening for elderly travelers


    4. Garage-sale find: Photo of woman’s dead son





    5. Severe weather clouds holiday weekend


    6. Shanksville, Pennsylvania Prepares For 9/11 Anniversary


      Getty Images


      Sandy Dahl, wife of 9/11 pilot, dies at age 52





    7. Town unites for ‘Field of Heroes’

The law has been dubbed the “Shariah bill” because critics say it targets the Islamic legal code. Shariah, or Islamic law, covers all aspects of Muslim life, including religious obligations and financial dealings. Opponents of state bans say they could nullify wills or legal contracts between Muslims.

Supporters said the law will reassure foreigners in Kansas that state laws and the U.S. Constitution would protect them. Opponents said it singled out Muslims for ridicule and was unnecessary because American laws prevail on U.S. soil.

Sherriene Jones-Sontag, a spokeswoman for the governor, said in an e-mail that the bill “makes it clear that Kansas courts will rely exclusively on the laws of our state and our nation when deciding cases and will not consider the laws of foreign jurisdictions.”

South Dakota lawmakers tackle ‘Shariah question’

Legislators supporting the bill said there were many cases around the country where judges or state agencies cited Shariah law in deciding cases, especially involving divorce-related custody and property matters where Islamic code differs from U.S. law.

‘Islam-phobia’

The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington denounced the Kansas law and said it is considering legal action.

Hate crime? Iraqi woman’s death in Calif. has Muslims wondering

About 20 states have considered similar legislation but the Kansas law is the only one signed in recent weeks, council spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said.

“It’s unfortunate the governor chose to pander to the growing Islam-phobia in our society that has led to introduction of similar unconstitutional and un-American legislation in dozens of state legislatures,” Hooper said.



Video: Anti-Muslim sentiment on the rise in U.S. (on this page)

Hooper said legislators have often referred to Shariah law in supporting such legislation, but he said they take the word out of the bill to stave off legal challenges. The Kansas bill does not mention Shariah.

Federal courts struck down an Oklahoma law voters approved in 2010 that barred state judges from considering Shariah law in making decisions. The court called the law discriminatory.

Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes