Governor vetoes bill classifying Sharia law as a foreign law

A move by Arizona’s governor, Katie Hobbs, blocked legislation aimed at tightening restrictions on Sharia law within the state.

Though some supported the measure, its path ended when she stepped in to reject it outright. The decision arrived without fanfare, just a quiet refusal to sign it into effect.

Not every proposed rule finds survival under her watch. Her stance closed the door firmly, leaving debate behind. Lawmakers now face a different reality than what they had expected earlier this week.

The Arizona Legislature passed Senate Bill 1018 along partisan lines in June, with the Republican majority supporting it.SB 1018 sought to define Sharia law as a foreign law, ensuring that Arizona courts and other authorities do not enforce it when it conflicts with state and federal laws.

The bill also expanded the foreign law definition to include foreign religious or cultural laws, customs and practices that allow honor killings, coerced marriages, illegal child marriages, female genital mutilation, child abuse and other conduct that violates state law.

This would have prevented these practices from overriding state and federal law if they came into conflict.In her veto letter of SB 1018, Hobbs said, “Sharia law, and the abhorrent practices found within it, do not and will not exist in Arizona.”

She added that “Sharia law has already been outlawed by existing statute at the state and federal levels.”“The practical effects of this unconstitutional legislation will be a lawsuit that the state of Arizona will lose, costing taxpayers millions of dollars,” Hobbs said.

According to the Texas-based Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, Sharia law is the “set of Islamic laws that encompass both the religious and secular practices of Muslims.”

State Sen. Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, said the governor “vetoed a bill that simply reaffirmed that Arizona law comes first.”“

Arizonans should never have to question whether forced marriage, marriage with a minor, the honor killing of a person, female genital mutilation or other abusive practices will be unequivocally rejected by our legal system,” Shamp told The Center Square, answering questions by email this week.“Arizona’s Constitution is the standard – not foreign customs, not foreign laws and not political excuses.

I will continue fighting to ensure our laws protect women, children and the fundamental rights of every Arizonan,” she added.Azza Abuseif, the executive director for the Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the organization welcomed Hobbs’ “decision to veto this unnecessary and discriminatory legislation.”“Bills targeting so-called ‘Sharia law’ are not about protecting anyone’s rights or safety.

They are about exploiting fear and promoting harmful stereotypes about Islam and Muslims,” Abuseif said.

The executive director said these bills “send a message that Muslim Arizonans are somehow suspect or unwelcome in their own communities.”“Arizona’s Muslim community contributes to every aspect of our state’s civic, economic and cultural life.

Public officials should focus on bringing people together and addressing the real challenges facing Arizona families, rather than advancing legislation rooted in prejudice and misinformation,” Abuseif added.

–

Original Article: Governor vetoes bill classifying Sharia law as a foreign law