Proposed State Law Causes Concern In Muslim Community
LANSING (WWJ) - A Muslim group is planning a battle against a proposed state law introduced by a Republican lawmaker that would ban any laws seen as foreign.
Dawud Walid of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says the bill supported by 40 Republican lawmakers is fear-mongering.
"If this bill is passed, according to how it's written and its unclear guidelines, it could perhaps place into jeopardy mediation between couples that are going through divorce ... and how religious law can be seen in terms of children's rights," said Walid.
Michigan House Bill 4769, introduced by Rep. David Agema, doesn't mention Sharia law specifically, but some believe it is targeted at the Islamic principles that govern issues such as marriage, divorce and child custody.
Walid said this new law may conflict with some citzens' constitutional rights.
"This bill, if enacted, will bring about a level of uncertainty to the state of Michigan in regards to how minorities are treated by our judicial system as well as administrative agencies," he said.
Walid says if the bill it passes and the governor signs it, CAIR will file a lawsuit the very next day.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Pat Sweeting spoke with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Muslim serving in the Michigan legislature, said she's appalled.
"This would change how our core American values of freedom, or freedom of religion, freedom of just who we are as Americans in the state of Michigan," said Tlaib.
"This bill casts suspicion on our Muslim neighbors, on our Muslim friends that we've been living amongst for five generations," she said.
WWJ is awaiting a call back from Rep. Agema for comment.
