On November 2nd, 70% of Oklahomans who voted decided overwhelmingly to amend the state constitution to ban judges from considering or using sharia or international law when deciding cases. Politico quickly reported "Muslims leaders" in Oklahoma intended to fight this in court.
Update 6:10 PM CT: CAIR to Announce Suit Challenging Oklahoma Anti-Islam Amendment!
But, back in July the director of CAIR Oklahoma at the time, Razi Hashmi, said "...he knows no American Muslims who would like to see sharia law implemented in the U.S." Now, with its brand new director, Muneer Awad, CAIR Oklahoma is going to sue because we banned what Hashmi assured us no Muslim wanted. In the very same article, Nuredin Giayash, principal of Peace Academy in Tulsa said, "American Muslims would like to see Sharia law in the U.S. but only in the limited areas of marriage, divorce and inheritance, not criminal law, and applied only to Muslims."
Update 9:01 PM CT: Imad Enchassi, the Imam at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, who will take part in the press conference announcing the suit, posted on his FB page earlier today part of a verse from the Quran.
Let's review 6 well-known translations:
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Yusuf Ali:
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Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But God knoweth, and ye know not. |
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Zohurul Hoque:
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Fighting has been prescribed for you, but it is of dislike to you. And it may be that you dislike something while it is good for you; and it may be that you love something while it is bad for you. And Allah knows while you do not know. |
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T. J. Irving:
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Fighting is also prescribed for you even though it may seem detestable to you. It may be that you detest something which is good for you; while perhaps you love something even though it is bad for you. God knows, while you do not know." |
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T.U. Hilali-M. Khan:
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Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know. |
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M. Pickthall:
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Warfare is ordained for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth, ye know not. |
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M.H. Shakir:
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Fighting is enjoined on you, and h is an object of dislike to you; and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know. |
Why Enchassi left off the "Fighting is prescribed for you and ye disklike it" part, I can't say. The many translations I've reviewed are about fighting - physical fighting or warfare! I can't say what Enchassi's intent was in posting this particular verse, but it certainly was provocative, if not troubling.
One translation I read stood out and its the one by George Sales from 1734 (his translation of the Quran is the one Thomas Jefferson owned probably because our forefather's dealt with Islamism for four long decades): "War is enjoined you against the infidels; but this is hateful unto you: Yet perchance ye hate a thing which is better for you, and perchance ye love a thing which is worse for you: But God knoweth and ye know not."
From the Institute of Islamic Information and Education in Chicago we find in their Jihad Explained the following about this verse:
9. DEFENDING THROUGH PREEMPTIVE STRIKES:
Indeed, it is difficult to mobilize people to fight when they see no invaders in their territory; however, those who are charged with responsibility see dangers ahead of time and must provide leadership. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S), had the responsibility to protect his people and the religion he established in Arabia. Whenever he received intelligence reports about enemies gathering near his borders he carried out preemptive strikes, broke their power and dispersed them (6). Allah ordered Muslims in the Qur'an: "Fighting is prescribed upon you, and you dislike it. But it may happen that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that you love a thing which is bad for you. And Allah knows and you know not." (2:216)
Update 11/9/10: Imam Enchassi didn't like that I called attention to the verse and wrote this group (did he mean my blog?) is hateful. Heck, Enchassi, you are the one who posted the verse. Own up to it, man.
Imam Enchassi's use of this particular verse makes me worried about the safety of Oklahomans. I pray that everyone on both sides behave in a civil manner and that the name calling and hateful words stop as this case goes forward in the court system.
Update 11/23/10: The name calling continues. Micheal Salem, Muneer Awad's attorney told Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange in federal court on the 22nd those who put the measure on the ballot were "xenophobic merchants of fear and hate." Shortly after this hearing the judge, who was appointed by Clinton, granted a preliminary injunction barring the certification of the vote.
Update 12/01/10: The State of Oklahoma filed an appeal of the judge's decision.
Update 12/06/10: The leftist NYT wrote a short article today about SQ 755 after visiting a small cafe in Perry, Oklahoma and ended it with a quote from Imam Enchassi: “Things are much worse now, I’m looking over my shoulder for the first time.”
With all due respect, Imam Enchassi, you and all the Muslim leaders in Oklahoma who brought Muslim Brotherhood/Hamas-linked CAIR to Oklahoma need to take a good long look in the mirror.
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Also see:
Posts on sharia law as this case and its growth around the world
Mixed Signals from Muslim leaders in Oklahoma Part 2 2010
Mixed Signals from Muslim leaders in Oklahoma Part 1 1988-2009
Who would have imagined this becoming a problem in Oklahoma?
Thanks for this information, it's helpful to know more about CAIR.
Posted by: Katlin | December 17, 2010 at 03:00 PM