What prompted the letter is escalating attacks on Muslims and Muslim organizations, including an April 6 demand from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that a Dallas-based Islamic mediation group provide his office with documentation to prove they are not unlawfully acting as a court and imposing Sharia Law.<\/p>\n
Fighting the alleged imposition of Muslim judicial practices \u2014 which are not applicable in any U.S. court \u2014 is a key talking point of Republican politicians this year. Paxton and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are among the key perpetrators of this warning.<\/p>\n
Ken Paxton<\/p>\n In a press release Monday, Paxton alleged the Islamic Tribunal \u2014 which issues mediations in internal disputes involving Texas Muslims \u2014 is operating a court system outside state and federal law.<\/p>\n Many religious bodies \u2014 from Methodists to Mormons \u2014 offer services to mediate or even adjudicate internal disputes and disciplinary matters. Paxton\u2019s declaration only targets Muslims.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone or any entity that seeks to subvert the codified state and federal laws of this country will be stopped dead in their tracks,\u201d Paxton said. \u201cIf the Islamic Tribunal is undermining the rule of law or misleading Texans about the legal authority it claims to hold, my office will ensure its operation is shut down. This is America, and we will not be governed by Sharia Law.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier, Gov. Abbott instructed<\/a>\u00a0local and state officials in Dallas and Collin counties to investigate the Islamic Tribunal and other Islamic mediation groups.<\/p>\n The interfaith letter published April 7 is addressed to \u201celected leaders of Texas and the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n It states: \u201cWe write as clergy and faith leaders from across traditions to condemn the harmful rhetoric and blatant discrimination aimed against Muslim communities by political leaders in Texas and our nation.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the United States of America, the role of government is to stop genuine threats to national security. Its role is not to engage in the policing of thought, speech or belief. In accusing American Muslim organizations, communities and individuals of anti-American activity or intent, an increasing number of our elected officials have abdicated their authority as representatives of the American people.<\/p>\n \u201cThe role of government is to stop genuine threats to national security. Its role is not to engage in the policing of thought, speech or belief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn our public life, disagreement is inevitable. But what we are witnessing now is not disagreement. It is the rejection of an entire faith in the American story. It is the attack on classmates, co-workers and neighbors because they are Muslim. It is the use of government power and political rhetoric to marginalize, demean and exclude Muslims from their legitimate and well-earned place in American history and society.\u201d<\/p>\n The letter claims Republicans in Congress have falsely raised alarms about Sharia Law and sought to make Muslim Americans second-class citizens.<\/p>\n These politicians seek to \u201cportray Islam itself as incompatible with American life,\u201d the letter states. \u201cIn Texas, state leaders have designated prominent Muslim organizations as terrorist entities, initiated investigations into Muslim institutions and sought to restrict their ability to operate and participate fully in civic life. At the same time, we have heard anti-democratic words from public officials suggesting that Muslims do not belong in American society, that they are inherently suspect, or that our state should be made so inhospitable that they leave.\u201d<\/p>\n All this fear of Muslims forms a pattern, the letter says. \u201cAnd that pattern threatens the very foundations of our common life.\u201d<\/p>\n The First Amendment \u201cexists precisely to ensure that no government may single out a religious community for suspicion, exclusion or unequal treatment,\u201d it continues. \u201cWhen Muslims are targeted, no less than when Jews or Christians or atheists are targeted, religious liberty itself is endangered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Related articles:<\/p>\n Republican fears about Sharia law called a \u2018hoax\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Congressmen call for expelling Muslims from America<\/a><\/p>\n Will Zohran Mamdani institute Sharia law in New York?<\/a>\u00a0| Analysis by Robert Sellers<\/p>\n Texas governor seeks to ban Muslim organizations<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ken_paxton_bio_thumb.jpg\")
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