Governor Abbott Declares Sharia Law Has No Place in Texas

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made headlines once again by declaring that his state has banned the enforcement of Islamic Sharia law. The announcement came after a viral video from Houston showed a Muslim cleric urging shopkeepers not to sell alcohol, pork, or lottery tickets.

The video, which quickly spread across social media platforms, sparked heated debate about religious influence in public life. In response, Governor Abbott described the cleric’s call as an attempt to impose “Sharia compliance” on businesses and residents. He said Texas would not allow any such efforts and urged people to report similar incidents to local law enforcement.

Governor Abbott’s Statement

On September 9, Abbott posted on X (formerly Twitter), making his position clear. “I signed laws that BAN Sharia Law and Sharia Compounds in Texas. No business & no individual should fear fools like this,” he wrote. He added, “If this person, or ANYONE, attempts to impose Sharia compliance, report it to local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Public Safety.”

His comments were both a warning and reassurance: a warning to those he believed were trying to enforce religious rules in public life, and reassurance to Texans that the state would not tolerate any move toward religious governance.

Texas and the Legal Background

While Abbott spoke strongly about a ban on Sharia law, Texas does not have a separate or direct law banning it by name. Instead, Texas passed a law in 2017 known as the “American Laws for American Courts” bill. This law ensures that only American federal and state laws can be applied in Texas courts. It prevents the use of any foreign or religious laws, including Sharia, if they contradict U.S. law.

In practice, this means that even if people want to apply Sharia or any other religious code in civil disputes, Texas courts are required to follow only U.S. and Texas laws.

The Houston Cleric Incident

The latest controversy began when a video from Houston went viral. In the video, a Muslim cleric could be heard on a loudspeaker asking shopkeepers not to sell alcohol, pork, or lottery tickets. These items are considered forbidden in Islam, and the cleric urged businesses in Muslim-majority neighborhoods to respect those religious rules.

While some community members saw the message as a personal appeal, critics said it crossed the line into pressuring businesses. Governor Abbott was quick to frame the incident as harassment and an attempt to impose Sharia law in Texas.

Criticism From Muslim Advocacy Groups

Muslim organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), quickly responded to Abbott’s remarks. They criticized the governor for misleading the public about Sharia and using the incident to stir fear.

According to these groups, Sharia is not a single code of law being forced on non-Muslims. Instead, it is a personal religious guide followed by Muslims in matters of worship, diet, charity, and family life. They explained that Muslims in the United States practice Sharia privately, just as Christians and Jews follow their own religious traditions.

CAIR and other advocates accused Abbott of exaggerating the threat and fueling religious profiling. They warned that such statements could make Muslim communities in Texas targets of hate or discrimination.

Abbott’s History on Religious and Cultural Issues

Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican and close ally of former President Donald Trump, has long taken strong positions on immigration, religion, and cultural issues. He has frequently aligned himself with conservative voters who see the protection of American traditions and laws as central to Texas identity.

Earlier this year, Abbott clashed with the East Plano Islamic Center over its proposed project called EPIC City. The project was to be a 400-acre development that included housing, schools, a mosque, and commercial facilities. Abbott argued that the project could become a “Sharia zone” and directed multiple state agencies to investigate it.

His critics accused him of unfairly targeting Muslim communities and using exaggerated claims to block a development project. Religious leaders warned that such rhetoric could harm Texas’s reputation as a diverse state and alienate Muslim citizens.

Supporters’ Viewpoint

Supporters of Abbott’s actions argue that his firm stand protects the American legal system and ensures that religious codes do not influence public law. They believe that once exceptions are made, there is a risk of parallel systems of justice, something they insist cannot be allowed.

For many of Abbott’s supporters, the Houston incident represented not just a cleric’s speech but a test of whether Texas would allow public pressure to change business practices. They welcomed Abbott’s strong rejection of any attempts to introduce religious rules into public life.

Critics’ Viewpoint

Critics, on the other hand, see Abbott’s words and actions as political theater. They argue that the governor is using fear of Sharia to appeal to conservative voters while ignoring the actual legal protections already in place.

They stress that no Muslim organization has ever called for the replacement of U.S. laws with Sharia in Texas. Instead, Muslims in the state practice their faith privately and within the framework of American laws. By framing personal religious appeals as attempts at religious takeover, critics argue Abbott risks increasing division and intolerance.

Religious Freedom in the United States

The U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, meaning people are free to follow their faith as long as they obey the law. This includes the freedom of Muslims to avoid alcohol or pork, just as it allows Christians to observe Sunday worship or Jews to keep kosher.

The debate in Texas highlights the tension between religious expression and the fear of religious laws influencing public life. For many Muslims, Sharia is about prayer, fasting, charity, and personal choices. For critics, however, the word “Sharia” is associated with harsh punishments and strict codes seen in some foreign countries.

This difference in understanding fuels political clashes such as the one now playing out in Texas.