Muslims Seek to Educate Lawmakers about Shariah

Oldest American-Muslim organization calls for end to fear mongering

For Immediate Release:

January 3, 2012

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA calls for an end to the growing fear of Islamic Shariah in the United States.  Shariah is not a threat to our nation.  Instead, Shariah is a set of Islamic regulations and guidelines that govern the personal and private beliefs and actions of a Muslim, similar to the Halacha for Jews and Cannon for Christians.  The supposed Shariah practiced in some Muslim-majority countries does not reflect the true Islamic concept of Shariah. 

As the leading Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA clarifies that Shariah, like American law, enshrines freedoms of thought, expression and belief and cannot be imposed on Americans in the United States.

“True Islamic teachings, as practiced by the Prophet of Islam, promote a secular government with equal rights and privileges for all citizens and a separation of mosque and state,” said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA.  “Because the laws of the United States are supreme over any and all religious laws, the contention that Shariah may be imposed in our country is utterly absurd.”

The dozens of proposed bills to ban Shariah in the United States are an exaggerated response to a non-existent and manufactured problem.  As our Nation’s oldest American-Muslim organization, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA invites lawmakers at all levels of government to meet Community leaders to better understand Shariah’s role in the life of American Muslims.

Contact:

Harris Zafar, National Spokesperson
harris.zafar@ahmadiyya.us

About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast-growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spans 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is the first American-Muslim organization.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings. 

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