EDMOND — The United States is under attack by foes who are openly animated by what is known in Islam as Sharia, Islamic law, a recently released report found.

Under Sharia every faithful Muslim is obligated to wage jihad — whether violent or not — against those who do not adhere to this comprehensive, totalitarian political-military code, according to “Sharia — The Threat to America,” a 177-page report released last week by the Center for Security Policy.

The Washington D.C. think tank, which focuses on national security issues, was founded in 1988 by Frank Gaffney Jr., a Reagan-era Defense Department official and former aide to Sen. Henry Jackson.

The report studied the Muslim Brotherhood and its ties to radical Islamist organizations abroad and in the United States, and makes clear that the federal government must take steps to address Sharia more urgently.

“The enemy’s explicit goal is to establish a global Islamic state, known as the caliphate, governed by Sharia,” the report’s authors wrote.

U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Michigan, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said the report provides a strong and detailed look at aspects of Shariah and the Caliphate, and how radical jihadists are using violence as a means to achieve them.

“Shariah runs counter to our longstanding American principles of freedom and liberty,” Hoekstra said.

Muslim leaders say outspoken critics are voicing a misconception of Sharia, which is based on the Quran, the traditions of Muhammad and interpretation of scripture, and that Islamic law is comparable to laws related to other religions.

Hoekstra encouraged Americans to read the report, available at the Center for Security Policy’s Web site: www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org.



STATE QUESTION 755

State Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, also encouraged Oklahomans to read the report and related legislation. Duncan has called for a “pre-emptive strike” to prevent Sharia from being used in Oklahoma like it has in some U.S. courts and in countries such as England.

Additionally, Sharia is not compliant with the U.S. Constitution as some Muslim leaders have claimed, Duncan said.

Duncan and co-authors including Lewis Moore, R-Edmond, supported House Joint Resolution 1056, dubbed the Save Our State amendment, which seeks to alter Article 7, Section 1 of the Oklahoma Constitution.

On Nov. 2, Oklahomans will cast their votes for or against State Question 755, which would make the state’s courts rely on federal law and state law when deciding cases and forbidding courts from considering or using Sharia.

Duncan said SQ 755 is needed because judges in other states and on the federal bench have increasingly cited international law in their decisions. Duncan said he feels that action is inappropriate in a sovereign state.

News related to the ground zero Islamic community center and mosque in New York have helped educate Oklahomans, Duncan said. He said there is broad support among his constituents for SQ 755, which he believes will pass by a broad margin, sending a message to the rest of the country.

“It is always right to defend our Constitution,” Duncan said.

Moore said the need for SQ 755 is related to the current extraordinary social-political environment. Moore said in his experience, few Oklahomans know about the proposition, but those who are aware of it support it and feel like it needs to be done.

Moore said currently, Muslims make up about 1/2 of 1 percent of the U.S. population, and studies show that once the Muslim population reaches 2 percent it will exert more influence.

There are an estimated 7 million Muslims and almost 2,000 mosques, Islamic schools and Islamic centers in America, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.



MUSLIM VIEWS ON SHARIA

Muslims are taught that Allah revealed laws by which adherents should live. Everything from marital and sexual relationships to ruling and trade have been revealed, including Islamic law.

Sharia, an expression of Allah’s revelation, is comprehensive and complete, covering all aspects of life such as marriage, divorce, children, family, inheritance, business and finance.

In 2006, a Gallup survey conducted in 10 predominantly Muslim countries representing more than a purported 80 percent of the global Muslim population sought answers to the question: Is it possible to have democracy and Sharia simultaneously?

Respondents were asked: In general, which of these statements comes closest to your own point of view?

In Egypt 66 percent said Sharia must be the only source of legislation, in Pakistan 60 percent, in Jordan 54 percent, in Bangladesh 52 percent, in Morocco 33 percent, in Indonesia 14 percent, in Iran 13 percent, in Turkey 9 percent and in Lebanon 8 percent.

In Egypt 1 percent said Sharia should not be a source of legislation, in Pakistan 4 percent, in Jordan 1 percent, in Bangladesh 6 percent, in Morocco less than 1 percent, in Indonesia 18 percent, in Iran 14 percent, in Turkey 57 percent and in Lebanon 33 percent.

In Jordan, 50 percent said religious leaders should have no direct role in the area of drafting the country’s constitution, in Pakistan 34 percent, in Iran 56 percent, in Indonesia 63 percent, in Bangladesh 67 percent, in Morocco 73 percent, in Turkey 72 percent and in Lebanon 85 percent.



marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108