The man behind a lawsuit seeking to overturn a controversial ballot measure has a passion for the law and his Islamic faith.
\nMuneer Awad, executive director of the Oklahoma chapter on the Council
\nfor American-Islamic Relations, filed suit last week in federal court to
\noverturn State Question 755. The measure bans state courts from the use
\nof Sharia and international law in deciding cases. It passed Nov. 2
\nwith slightly more than 70 percent of the vote.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/iqsoft.co.in<\/p>\n
Sharia law is not used in state courts, but supporters said SQ 755 was needed as a preventive measure.<\/p>\n
U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange granted a temporary restraining
\norder putting implementation on hold. A hearing for an injunction is
\nset for Nov. 22.<\/p>\n
Awad, who has been on the job with the council’s Oklahoma chapter since
\nOct. 14, said Sharia law could never replace federal or state laws.<\/p>\n
Adoption of a constitutional amendment referencing Sharia law voices the
\nstate’s official disapproval and condemnation of Islam, he said.<\/p>\n
\u001cAnd that raises constitutional issues on its own with respect to the
\ngovernment being able to approve or disapprove of religion,\u001d Awad said.
\n\u001cIt involves my standing as a Muslim in the political community.\u001d<\/p>\n
When news of the lawsuit spread, his organization got a lot of hate mail, but it has also received encouragement, Awad said.<\/p>\n
\u001cOur organization has gotten more donations from non-Muslims in the past
\nweek than we have from Muslims,\u001d he said. \u001cThis has really been a sign
\nof Oklahomans, I think, realizing that no matter what disagreement we
\nhave here, there is still a need to remain rational and let the courts
\nconsider what is being presented.\u001d<\/p>\n
Sharia law is guidance for Muslims on how to practice and interpret their faith in daily interactions and in society, Awad said.<\/p>\n
\u001cIt touches on things that are even beyond law,\u001d he said. \u001cSimply me
\nrefraining from eating pork is part of following Sharia. Me not drinking
\nalcohol is part of following Sharia. Me marrying is part of Sharia. So,
\nSharia encompasses so many things beyond the law.\u001d<\/p>\n
He said Sharia changes and is not applied the same in all countries.<\/p>\n
\u001cOne of the main aspects of Sharia is abiding by the law of the land,\u001d
\nAwad said. \u001cAs a Muslim, I am mandated to abide by the law of the land I
\nlive in.\u001d<\/p>\n
He said it is disingenuous for critics to point to how Sharia is
\nfollowed in other countries. While polygamy is permissible in his faith,
\nit is not legal in the United States, he said.<\/p>\n
Awad said politicians are profiting from the fear of Islam.<\/p>\n
\u001cI know this element of hate is definitely a fringe element,\u001d he said.
\n\u001cSo, I don’t actually live my life in fear of someone attacking me or
\nmisunderstanding me.\u001d![\"\"](\"http:\/\/img.zemanta.com\/pixy.gif?x-id=2d07e9fb-7f12-8fb8-a2e0-693d658c2e40\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Muslim explains faith’s Sharia law BY BARBARA HOBEROCK – Tulsa World Published: November 14, 2010 The man behind a lawsuit seeking to overturn a controversial ballot measure has a passion for the law and his Islamic faith. Muneer Awad, executive director of the Oklahoma chapter on the Council for American-Islamic Relations, filed suit last week…
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