Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that Sharia law and religious compounds promoting Islamic law are banned in the state. The statement, made via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, came in response to a viral video showing a group of protesters carrying placards in support of implementing Sharia law in Texas communities.
TJ News Nigeria reports that Governor Abbott reiterated his administration’s position, stating that “no business and no individual should fear fools like this.” The Governor added that residents should immediately report any attempt to impose Sharia compliance to local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Public Safety.
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Governor Abbott’s Strong Response
The video that sparked the Governor’s response featured a cleric with a megaphone urging local shopkeepers to stop selling alcohol, pork, and lottery tickets, citing religious principles.
“We should not violate the religion of Islam by selling products that are against our beliefs,” the cleric said. “We should love what Allah loves and hate what Allah hates. We will be visiting all stores in the neighbourhood where Islam is ignored.”
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Governor Abbott’s reaction was swift, emphasizing that Texas law protects the rights of all residents and rejecting what he described as “attempts to impose an alternative legal system.”
Declaration From the Governor’s Office
A statement issued by the Texas Governor’s Press Office on Monday reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to upholding equal rights.
“In Texas, we believe in equal rights under the law for all men, women, and children,” the statement read. “Any legal system that flouts human rights is banned in the state of Texas.”
Online Debate Over the Ban
While some Texans applauded Governor Abbott’s stance, others questioned the necessity of additional laws, arguing that existing protections in the U.S. Constitution already safeguard against religious laws overriding state law.
“I don’t understand why we need new laws to prevent this. The Bill of Rights and the Constitution are sufficient,” one X user wrote.
Another user, @brucefenton, challenged Abbott’s claim, saying: “No. You didn’t. There’s no law you signed that mentions Sharia or Sharia Law.”
Some Texans expressed broader concerns, citing instances where Islamic practices were accommodated in Texas. “Why are there Islamic prayer rooms in airports and Halal food in Texas schools? All of this is part of Sharia,” another commenter claimed.
Controversy Over Proposed Muslim-Centered Community
The debate comes amid controversy surrounding a proposed Muslim-centered development project known as EPIC City, tied to the East Plano Islamic Centre.
The planned community, proposed for 400 acres near Josephine in Collin and Hunt Counties, envisions a neighbourhood with 1,000 homes, a mosque, a K-12 Islamic school, apartments, shops, and a community college. Developers have said the project aims to meet the needs of Texas’s growing Muslim population.
However, critics argue the development could create a religious enclave that undermines community integration. Governor Abbott strongly opposed the project earlier this year, declaring in March that the “proposed community will never see the light of day.”
Federal Investigation Into Discrimination Concerns
In May, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a federal civil rights investigation into whether opposition to the EPIC City project violated federal anti-discrimination laws. The investigation came at the request of Senator John Cornyn, who raised concerns about potential discrimination against Christians and Jews.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also launched a state-level investigation in March, intensifying scrutiny of the project.
Religious Freedom vs. Public Safety
The debate over Sharia law and the proposed Muslim-centered development highlights broader tensions in Texas between religious freedom, integration, and security concerns.
Supporters of the EPIC City project argue that the development is a response to growing housing and cultural needs for Muslim residents. Critics, however, fear the project could introduce a parallel legal system rooted in religious doctrine, a claim the developers have repeatedly denied.
Civil rights advocates have warned that broad bans targeting specific religious practices risk stigmatizing communities and could violate federal constitutional protections.
Broader Context
Sharia law, derived from Islamic religious principles, governs aspects of personal conduct, family law, and finance for practicing Muslims. While many Muslims view Sharia as a personal moral code, critics argue that any attempt to formally integrate it into American law undermines secular governance.
Texas, a state with strong religious and cultural diversity, has historically been at the center of debates over religious freedom and state law. Governor Abbott’s administration has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to preserving constitutional rights while rejecting attempts to impose religious-based governance.
Key Takeaway
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s ban on Sharia law and compounds reflects heightened tensions over religious freedom, community integration, and security concerns. While the Governor has positioned the move as necessary to protect human rights, critics argue that existing constitutional protections already address these issues.
The controversy surrounding the EPIC City project underscores a growing national conversation about religious accommodations and cultural diversity in the United States.
