Houston: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared that the state prohibits the enforcement of Islamic Sharia law and urged residents to report any attempts to impose “Sharia compliance” on businesses or individuals.
Abbott’s statement came after a viral video surfaced from Houston showing a Muslim cleric using a loudspeaker to urge shopkeepers not to sell alcohol, pork, or lottery tickets. The governor described the incident as harassment, asserting that Texas would not tolerate attempts to enforce religious codes in public life.
“I signed laws that BAN Sharia Law and Sharia Compounds in Texas. No business & no individual should fear fools like this,” Abbott posted on X on Tuesday. “If this person, or ANYONE, attempts to impose Sharia compliance, report it to local law enforcement or the Texas Dept. of Public Safety,” he added.
Although Texas does not have a formal “Sharia ban,” the 2017 American Laws for American Courts bill prevents courts from applying any foreign or religious code, including Sharia, if it conflicts with US law.
Muslim advocacy groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), criticised Abbott’s statements as misleading, emphasising that Sharia governs personal religious practice and not civil law.
Earlier this year, Abbott opposed EPIC City, a proposed 400-acre residential and commercial development by the East Plano Islamic Center. The project, which included homes, schools, a mosque, and commercial facilities, was labelled by Abbott as a potential “Sharia zone,” prompting multiple state agencies to investigate. Critics argued that the governor exaggerated the threat and warned of religious profiling.
Abbott, a Republican and ally of former President Donald Trump, has frequently taken strong stances on immigration, religion, and cultural issues.
With PTI inputs