Oklahoma State Question 755: Islamic Law
Posted: 10/07/2010
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By: Marla Carter
TULSA - Some call it a way to protect our court system.
Others feel they're being unfairly targeted.
We're talking about a state question you'll see on the ballot next month concerning Islamic Law.
Praying five times a days, fasting, marriage, diet, these are all part of Islamic Law. Also called Sharia Law.
While part of Sharia Law has to do with beliefs, in some western countries it's also legally used in certain cases.
"When it comes to divorce or family law, which is where it's applied in some western nations like the United Kingdom, France and elsewhere. It's only regarding family law," said Razi Hashmi of the Council on American-Islamic Relations out of Oklahoma City.
But imagining that law here concerns state representative Rex Duncan.
"If you think men ought to have all of the rights in a family law case and women shouldn't be treated as anything more than property or second class citizens," said Duncan, (R)-Sand Springs.
The Council for American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, says that's not the case at all.
"The U.S. Constitution will always be the law of the land regardless, and Muslims in America understand that and respect the U.S. Constitution as the highest authority in this land," said Hashmi.
In fact, CAIR says that since the U.S. Constitution is the law of the land, Sharia Law could not be used in the U.S. so in their view, the state question is moot, but Duncan, doesn't see it that way.
"If litigants demand they be allowed to settle their differences under Sharia Law and have a U.S. court or state court endorse or accept and impose those agreements, it's basically a court system within a court system, that's never acceptable," said Duncan.
Still CAIR cries foul, and says there's only one objective behind the state question.
"The state question is part of the growing islamophobia that's been sweeping the nation," said Hashmi.
"Tolerance is a one-way street for CAIR. They demand tolerance. They demand acceptance, but it's not a two-way street," said Duncan.
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CLICK HERE FOR IN DEPTH COVERAGE OF THE STATE QUESTIONS
STATE QUESTION NO. 744 (INITIATIVE PETITION NO. 391)
If approved by voters, this would amend the Oklahoma constitution to mandate that the state spend the same amount of money per student as the average spent by the surrounding states. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF STATE QUESTION 744
STATE QUESTION NO. 746 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 347)
If approved by voters, this would require voters to provide documentation of their identity, and specifies the types of proof that would be accepted. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF STATE QUESTION 746
STATE QUESTION NO. 747 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 348)
If approved by voters, this would amend the Oklahoma constitution to impose term limits on statewide elected offices, including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and treasurer. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF STATE QUESTION 747
STATE QUESTION NO. 748 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 349)
If approved by voters, this would amend the Oklahoma constitution to change the way that apportionment (splitting of the state into house and senate districts) takes place.CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF STATE QUESTION 748
STATE QUESTION NO. 750 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 350)
If approved by voters, this would amend the Oklahoma constitution to change the rules governing initiative petitions and referendum petitions.CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF STATE QUESTION 750
STATE QUESTION NO. 751 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 351)
If approved by voters, this would amend the Oklahoma constitution to mandate that all state business be conducted in English. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF STATE QUESTION 751
STATE QUESTION NO. 752 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 352)
If approved by voters, this would amend the Oklahoma constitution to change the makeup of the Judicial Nominating Commission, the body which recommends judges to the governor for appointment. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF STATE QUESTION 752
STATE QUESTION NO. 754 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 354)
If approved by voters, this would amend the Oklahoma constitution to change the rules for how the state legislature can designate the distribution of funds.
STATE QUESTION NO. 755 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 355)
If approved by voters, this would amend the Oklahoma constitution to make it illegal for Oklahoma courts to consider international law -- and specifically, Sharia law -- when ruling on cases. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF STATE QUESTION 755
STATE QUESTION NO. 756 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 356)
If approved by voters, this would add a new section to the Oklahoma constitution which would make it illegal to force participation in a health care system.
STATE QUESTION NO. 757 (LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 357)
If approved by voters, this would amend the Oklahoma constitution to increase the amount of surplus revenue that goes into the state's "Rainy Day" fund. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF STATE QUESTION 757
