Keller mayor asking council to vote on resolution rejecting sharia law

Keller Mayor Armin Mizani is proposing a resolution rejecting sharia law and other foreign legal systems and affirming that the city will only abide by the Constitution and U.S. laws.

The City Council will vote on the resolution during its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

When asked why he is proposing the resolution, Mizani said, “The resolution reaffirms that in Keller, we only abide by the U.S. Constitution and U.S. law.”

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, sharia — meaning the correct path in Arabic — refers to the divine counsel that Muslims follow to be close to God and live moral lives. Most of the Muslim majority countries have laws referencing sharia. Some countries have laws administer what critics believe are cruel punishments or place undue restrictions on women and minorities. But people also misunderstand sharia and how it is applied, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

Mizani, who is also running in the District 98 Republican primary for the Texas House, said there is a “growing concern” with outside influences in Texas, citing examples that include legislation prohibiting “hostile foreign nations” from purchasing property in the state.

Mizani also discussed a proposed development in Collin County formerly called EPIC City. The development is now called The Meadow. The East Plano Islamic Center is proposing the development, which will include 1,000 residential units, a faith-based K-12 school, a mosque and stores according to the Texas Tribune.

The development has gotten backlash from politicians, including Gov. Abbott, and in early December, Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the developer, alleging securities fraud by misrepresenting the proposed development’s location and its leader’s compensation in relation to the project.

Mustafaa Carroll, executive director of the DFW chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said he heard about the proposed resolution in Keller, calling it “tiresome.”

Carroll said Muslims have been a “political football” since 9/11.

“People don’t even know what sharia law is,” he said. “Sharia law says Muslims must follow the laws of the land.”

Carroll said politicians must talk about bringing people together.

“At this point, we are so divided at this point. They keep bringing up sharia law because it helps them fire up their supporters,” Carroll said.

Mizani said he believes the resolution will pass.

“We recognize and embrace freedom of religion. What we’re not going to recognize is any sort of development, foreign entity or organization that wants to create its own standards and own set of rules. Anyone wanting to create a development only open to one segment of the population goes against our Constitution. People have the right to be Christian or Catholic or Muslim, but the minute you propose a development that elevates one religion, that’s where we have an issue,” Mizani said.