Broken Arrow state lawmaker floats legislation to ban Sharia law

By John Dobberstein, Editor

With a public hearing over a proposed mosque in Broken Arrow looming, a state lawmaker wants to ban the use of Sharia law in Oklahoma.

Rep. Gabe Woolley (R-Broken Arrow) filed House Joint Resolution 1040 to address concerns about the influence of Sharia law and, “reaffirm the authority of the U.S. Constitution in Oklahoma.”

HJR1040 would place a constitutional amendment before voters that would prohibit the use of Sharia law or any similar foreign legal code in Oklahoma courts. Woolley — who did not mention the mosque proposal specifically in his announcement — believes Sharia law, “is a political ideology painted as a religion.

“This is a Trojan horse. One group does not have permission to trample on the rights of others. We cannot jeopardize our constitutional rights by allowing a political ideology to infiltrate our nation and our state.”

Woolley said the resolution protects individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, including women’s rights, as well as free speech, freedom of expression and other “fundamental freedoms,” Woolley said. “Sharia law does not protect or respect those rights. This foreign religious law and political structure directly contradicts our Constitution.”

The Council on Islamic-American Relations (CAIR) chapter for Oklahoma said Woolley was correct the Constitution protects women’s rights, free speech, freedom of expression and other fundamental freedoms.

“In Oklahoma as elsewhere in the United States, the Constitution is the law of the land. No faith group can impose its beliefs on the American people, and no branch of the government can prevent the American people from practicing their various faiths, said Veronica Laizure-Hentry, CAIR-Oklahoma’s executive director.

“Judges have already decided that efforts to ban sharia violate the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment’s free exercise clause, as well as the supremacy clause. Rep. Wooley would be better served by spending more time reading the Constitution and less time on anti-Muslim hate sites.

“He could focus on any of the very real issues facing Oklahomans: rising costs of living, pollution in our water and air, and a flailing public education system suffering from decades of underfunding and attack.”

Sharia is the sacred law of Islam, a moral and religious code derived from the Quran and the Sunnah (teachings of Prophet Muhammad), guiding Muslims on all aspects of life, from worship and ethics to family, finance and justice,

In 2010, Oklahoma voters approved the Save Our State Amendment, which sought to ban Sharia law, with nearly 70% support. The amendment was later struck down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and never took effect.

Laizure-Henry noted the 2010 Oklahoma ballot measure cost Oklahoma taxpayers “lots of money” and was struck down in federal court.

Woolley said this legislation could help ensure Oklahoma does not, “follow the path of other states” or cities, where tensions have mounted over the growth of Muslim populations. “We have seen what is happening in Dearborn, Mich., New York, Texas and Europe. Oklahoma does not want to become to the next Dearborn,” he said, referring to a suburb of Detroit that has the largest Muslim population of any city in the U.S.

The mosque and retail center is being proposed by the Islamic Society of Tulsa on 15 acres fronting Olive Avenue, just south of the Creek Turnpike in Broken Arrow. The project would be built in phases and include a large worship area, classrooms, instructional space and a gym.

The Broken Arrow Planning Commission on Dec. 18 recommended approval of a rezoning request for the strip center and permit for a place of assembly, and the project was sent to the City Council.   

If approved by both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, Woolley’s resolution would be placed on a statewide ballot.

HJR1040 will be eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature which convenes on Feb. 2.

The Broken Arrow City Council will hold a special meeting over the proposed mosque and retail development Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. at Northeastern State University’s Broken Arrow campus.