A Muslim outreach leader told visitors at a Plano mosque Saturday that Sharia is a religious framework Muslims follow through charity, family obligations, and personal conduct. The event, titled ‘Understanding Islam & Shariah: Myths vs Facts,’ was attended by about 100 people and featured discussions on the role of Sharia in daily life.
Competing Messages
Outside the Islamic Association of Collin County, an Iran-born Christian who said he lived under Sharia offered a starkly different warning. He argued that Islamic law becomes dangerous when it gains political power and is enforced by the state.
The outreach leader, Ahmed, described Sharia as guidance governing how Muslims worship and live. ‘To take care of the neighbors, it’s part of the Sharia. To take care of your parents, to take care of the children, it’s part of the Sharia,’ Ahmed said. ‘To have strong families, it is part of the Sharia. It is part of the Sharia to fight immoralities. It is part of the Sharia to fight for equality.’
Ahmed also addressed concerns about Sharia being implemented in the U.S. ‘Some people may fear Sharia is coming to the U.S.,’ he said. ‘Do not fear. Sharia is not coming to the U.S. And the reason it is not coming to the U.S. is because it is already here.’ Ahmed explained that serving lunch to neighbors, giving to the poor, and following personal religious duties were examples of Muslims practicing Sharia.
Concerns and Controversies
A visitor, Gary, questioned the treatment of women in some Muslim countries and whether some Muslim immigrants were resisting assimilation. Ahmed responded that American law gives women the freedom to choose what they wear and distinguished religious teachings from cultural practices.
The discussion outside the mosque featured warnings from a protester, Edwin Isagholi, who was born in Iran and later became a Christian. Isagholi argued that Islam becomes offensive when it takes power and that Sharia law can lead to blasphemy laws and apostasy laws.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
