Rights group: Anti-Shariah law 'bigoted'

Associated Press

By David Goodman, Associated Press

Updated: Dec 11, 2012 8:45 PM

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Muslim rights group is urging Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to veto legislation designed to block use of Islamic law in the state should it reach his desk.

A House bill to bar use of "foreign laws that would impair constitutional rights" is on Tuesday's state House agenda.

Republican state Rep. Dave Agema of Grandville sponsored the bill, which doesn't specifically mention the Islamic legal code called Sharia.  The bill's supporters say they're concerned about Sharia's spread.

It wasn't immediately clear whether a vote would be taken before the lame duck session ends, which could come this week or next. Right-to-work legislation occupied the House on Tuesday.

The Associated Press left a message Tuesday for Agema, seeking an update on the bill's status.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations on Tuesday called "on all people of conscience" to urge Snyder to veto the legislation if passed.

Group state director Dawud Walid says it's a "bigoted bill."
 

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