About 100 Central Florida Muslims are traveling today to join about 300 other Muslims from throughout Florida to lobby the state Legislature against an anti-Sharia bill.
It’s the sixth year that Muslims have participated in the Florida Muslim Capitol Day to lobbied legislators on issues ranging from education to jobs, and the fourth year to voice opposition to an anti-Sharia bill.
“The bill is designed to marginalize the community and create fear in the community,” said Manal Fakhoury, chairwoman of Florida Muslim Capitol Day. “It’s un-American, it’s bad for Florida, it’s bad for business. It’s against the First Amendment, our right to practice our religion.”
The bill, which would ban the use of Sharia laws in the courts, is sponsored by Republican State Sen. D. Alan Hays, of Umatilla, who contends the law is necessary to “vaccinate” against the spread of Islamic law in the United States.
“The bill is about a problem that doesn’t exist,” Fakhoury said. “Sharia is a teaching. It’s how you conduct yourself, how parents teach their children.”