On Thursday, an Alabama Muslim organization blasted U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville’s proposal to block the use of Sharia law in American courts and to restrict entry to foreign nationals who advocate for it.
CAIR-Alabama, the state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, issued a statement condemning Tuberville’s two-bill package: The No Sharia Act and the Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act.
“Senator Tuberville’s bill is an unconstitutional attack on the religious freedom of Alabamians and all Americans,” CAIR-Alabama Staff Attorney Britton O’Shields wrote.
“Senator Tuberville’s doomed effort to ‘ban’ American Muslims from adhering to the articles of their faith is a publicity stunt that demonstrates his contempt for religious freedom and should sound the alarm for all Americans who oppose government interference in their religious practice. American Muslims will continue to freely and proudly practice their faith, God willing, regardless of Senator Tuberville’s political stunts.”
Tuberville (R-Auburn) fired back in a statement to Yellowhammer News.
“Sharia Law is fundamentally incompatible with America’s values. This poisonous ideology calls for ‘death to America’ and teaches that killing Christians is righteous,” Sen. Tuberville said.
In 2014, Alabama voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to prevent state courts from applying foreign law in ways that violate state public policy or citizens’ rights.
Tuberville argues that standard at the federal level is needed to protect America — and if someone disagrees — they ought to find another country to call home.
“If you want to come here, peacefully practice religion, and follow our laws, you have the right to do so. But if you are an immigrant who believes Sharia Law supersedes the Constitution or that Islam gives you the right to harm an American, you should be deported immediately,” Tuberville said.
The No Sharia Act, according to Tuberville’s office, would bar courts from enforcing judgments, decrees, contracts, and domestic-relations rulings if they rely on foreign or religious law in ways that violate U.S. constitutional rights.
The Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act would deny or revoke visas and other immigration benefits for foreign nationals who advocate Sharia in ways that conflict with the Constitution and shore up the government’s ability to remove such individuals.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.