By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Veronica LIVE.

When a French boutique’s display is ransacked and only the pork remains untouched, the scene looks like a random act of vandalism. Yet Elaine Ellinger, author of *A Civilizational Reckoning*, sees a deeper pattern: a doctrine that infiltrates markets, schools, and even ballot boxes.

Islam as Ideology, Not Religion

Ellinger traces her concern back to 1983, when she first met a refugee fleeing the Baha’i Revolution. Over two decades, she collected stories of ex‑Muslims escaping forced marriages and severe abuse. The turning point, she says, came after the September 11 attacks, which prompted her to study Islamic doctrine more closely. “People are not born that way,” she told host Veronica Kemeny, emphasizing that the hateful actions she describes are taught, not innate.

The guest argues that Islam’s legal framework, Sharia, extends far beyond worship. “When you think of Western law, you understand there are laws, and then there are spaces where there is no law. That is where liberty is supposed to exist. That doesn’t exist in Islam, because Islam covers everything,” she explained.

Sharia’s Reach into Western Institutions

According to Ellinger, the spread of Islamic schools across the West is a conduit for Sharia education. She cites a case of a young Muslim police officer who, after being taught in such a school, made statements that led to her dismissal. “What happened to the person who approved the school that taught her that? Nothing. They’ll open another one,” Ellinger asserted.

Ellinger also points to the financial mechanisms of zakat – a charitable tax with eight Quranic categories – as a means of influencing public life. “Zakat is the same way. It has eight categories. One of them is to sweeten the hearts. This is where money could be used to prevent those who would otherwise oppose Islam. It’s called influence peddling,” she said, linking religious charity to political leverage.

Political Implications and Voting Patterns

The conversation turned to American politics, where Ellinger claims that 90 % of Muslim voters prioritize candidates who promise to advance Sharia. She likens block voting to a form of jihad, stating, “There are many forms of jihad. It can be money, it can be journalism, it can be publishing, it can be anything.” This framing suggests that electoral choices are being weaponized to embed Islamic legal principles into U.S. governance.

Ellinger referenced Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El‑Sayed, noting his familial ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, and warned that such connections could steer policy toward Sharia‑friendly outcomes. “We do not need this in our government here in America,” she urged.

Why the Distinction Matters

Ellinger’s central thesis is that society is mistaking tolerance of a belief system for tolerance of an ideology that seeks to regulate every facet of life. She warned that history for Islam is not merely history; it is precedent that believers are expected to follow. “Everything Muhammad did is a perfect example to follow today,” she said, highlighting the danger of accepting religious doctrine as a static cultural artifact.

The guest concluded with a call to action: read and understand the curriculum taught in Islamic schools, scrutinize charitable organizations that collect zakat, and recognize when policy proposals are veiled attempts to institutionalize Sharia. “The book lays out so much information,” she said, urging listeners to educate themselves before the next wave of influence arrives.

Veronica Kemeny guided the discussion, probing the guest’s claims and drawing connections to recent events in France and the United States. While the conversation was charged, it underscored a growing concern among some observers that the line between religious freedom and legal imposition is blurring.

In a climate where cultural pluralism is prized, the debate highlighted by Ellinger forces a reconsideration of where tolerance ends and the erosion of liberal freedoms begins. Recognizing the distinction could shape how communities, lawmakers, and citizens respond to the increasing presence of Sharia‑inspired practices in public life.

The full episode of Veronica LIVE is available on OBBM Network TV.