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Michigan's anti-Sharia bill - A needless controversy
Learn about the Bill, why we oppose it and how you can help

What is Sharia ?
Sharia is a Muslim code of conduct, in the same way that the Bible guides Christians with their daily life. Sharia calls on Muslims to engage in daily prayers, give alms to the poor, partake in good deeds, and avoid sin.

Sharia is not monolithic. While some elements of Islamic law are central to the faith, other elements are contextual based on time and place.

At no time does Sharia seek to supersede the Constitution or the local laws of the land. Muslims are obligated to abide by the laws of the country in which they reside as long as the country offers religious protection and grants the right to worship freely.

Michigan House Bill 4769

  • House Bill 4769 and it's sponsors
  • Detroit Free Press Editorial on the Bill
  • Video: The Bill explained by Dawud Walid, Executive Director, CAIR-MI

  • Why we oppose the bill: The bill does not specifically mention sharia, but as Muslims we feel that the legislation targets us based on its similarity to other "anti-Sharia" laws popping up in other states.

    These bills play on the public's fear of the unknown and capitalize on misinformation in the public discourse about the nature of Sharia. Additionally, the constitutionality of these laws will likely be called into question.

    What Sharia is and what it is not

  • Video: Two lawyers offer opposing views (~5 mins each)

  • Video: Religious Laws Briefing at the Capitol

  • NY Times: The Man behind the anti-Sharia movement in the US {Click here for Alternate link}

  • Video: Group Behind Islamophobia (~3 mins)

  • NYT Op-Ed : Don’t Fear Islamic Law in America

  • Fear, Inc. - Roots of Islamophobia Network



  • Action Items


    Add your name to the list of people opposing the Bill

    and

    Call your Representative. Click here for script and phone #


    Media reports, Community Support opposing Bill

  • Legislators, civil rights groups speak out against bill

  • Detroit Free Press Editorial on the Bill

  • Video: Anti-Sharia Bill Opposition Press Conference

  • Michigan House Bill 4769 discriminatory

  • Facebook Community Page

  • LSJ Op-Ed: Bill could harm Michigan's economy

  • More Media Reports, Editorials



  • Contact us


    If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us info@lansingislam.com

    We are also visiting legislators to get our points across. If you would like to take part in a grassroots effort, please eMail info@lansingislam.com


     
    Sign the Petition CAIR's toolkit


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    Click to view larger image to see how many people from your city have signed the petition

    A community toolkit designed to assist those seeking to preserve America's ideal of religious pluralism in the face of unconstitutional "anti-Sharia" bills that have been introduced in more than 20 states nationwide.

    CAIR's "Securing Religious Liberty" toolkit includes lessons learned from opposing anti-Muslim legislative efforts in Oklahoma, Tennessee and Michigan, an explanation of the legal impact of the discriminatory bills and a discussion of what Sharia is and what it is not.

     
    Whom to Call, Calling Scripts
    Whom to call
    Step 1 - Go to http://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/ enter your address and find your State Rep.

    Step 2 - Check the list of sponsors of bill HB 4769 "The Restriction of Application of Foreign Laws Act" and confirm that your State Rep. has co-sponsored the bill.

    Step 3 - If they are a sponsor call their office using the resident script on the right ==>>
    If they aren't a sponsor call your State Rep. using the non-sponsor script on the far right ==>>


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    If your Representative Sponsored the bill, use this script
    Hello,

    My name is [ _____ ] and I am a concerned resident of District [Fill in District #] .It has come to my attention that Rep. [ Fill in State Rep.] is a sponsor of House Bill 4769 "The Restriction of Application of Foreign Laws Act".

    This bill is a replica of other Anti-Sharia bills that have been passed or sought to have been passed in other states which have been authored by the anti-black racist David Yerushalmi. According to the Anti-Defamation League, "Yerushalmi is the founder and president of the Society of Americans for National Existence (SANE), a "think tank" that has published anti-Muslim, anti-immigration, and anti-black materials, as well as New World Order-style conspiracy theories".

    This bill contributes to the growing climate of fear mongering against the American Muslim community which marginalizes and cast suspicion upon loyal Americans.

    This bill will also potentially stifle business development by creating unnecessary legal hurdles for international business investors and the state of Michigan.

    As a citizen who lives in [Rep. Fill in State Rep.] I urge [Rep.___ ] to withdraw his support for this Anti-Muslim, Anti-Business bill.


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    If your Representative did NOT Sponsor the bill, use this script
    Hello,

    My name is [ _____ ] and I am a concerned resident of District [Fill in District #] .It has come to my attention that Rep. Agema has sponsored House Bill 4769 "The Restriction of Application of Foreign Laws Act".

    This bill is a replica of other Anti-Sharia bills that have been passed or sought to have been passed in other states which have been authored by the anti-black racist David Yerushalmi. According to the Anti-Defamation League, "Yerushalmi is the founder and president of the Society of Americans for National Existence (SANE), a "think tank" that has published anti-Muslim, anti-immigration, and anti-black materials, as well as New World Order-style conspiracy theories".

    This bill contributes to the growing climate of fear mongering against the American Muslim community which marginalizes and cast suspicion upon loyal Americans.

    This bill will also potentially stifle business development by creating unnecessary legal hurdles for international business investors and the state of Michigan.

    As a citizen who lives in [Rep. Fill in State Rep.] I urge [Rep.___ ] to vote no for House Bill 4769 "The Restriction of Application of Foreign Laws Act".

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    Media Reports, Editorials, Videos Who is David Yerulshami
    The Grand Rapids Press: Why Rep. Dave Agema wants to stop Sharia by banning 'foreign laws' in Michigan courts

    Audio: Boston Law School faculty member

    Dispelling myths about Islamic law: Shariah explained

    Case Study: How One New Yorker Got Texas And Other States To Push Anti-Sharia Legislation

    "Fear, Inc" Report Exposes So-Called Experts & Donors Behind Islamaphobia in US

    Okla. anti-Shariah amendment heads to appeals court

    Why Sharia : A NY Times magazine article by Dr. Noah Feldman, a law professor at Harvard University and an adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations

    NJ Governor Chris Christie addresses the topic of Sharia while defending his Judge appointee (Minute mark 2:37)

    A Driving Force Behind Anti-Sharia Efforts in the U.S.

    Meet the White Supremacist Leading the GOP's Anti-Sharia Crusade

    The Man Behind the Anti-Shariah Movement (NY Times)

    Anti-Islam Activist Yerushalmi Measures Imams' Beards

    Profile of Anti-Sharia Extremist David Yerushalmi







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    Disclaimer: Views expressed in this site are those of individuals and not necessarily the express opinion of the Islamic Soc. of Gr Lansing
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