Washington — This week, the Muslim Public Affairs Council
held a policy forum on Capitol Hill with prominent American Muslim leaders,
interfaith allies, and civil rights groups to address the rash of anti-sharia
bills being considered in many state legislatures across the country.

The event, entitled “A Solution in Search of a Problem:
The Impact of Anti-Shari’a Bills in America,” focused on the Islamophobic
nature of these bills and delved into the meaning of sharia in the lives of everyday
American Muslims.

Dozens of Capitol Hill staffers, representatives of
non-profit groups and members of the public attended the standing-room only
briefing. The event was covered by members of the press, including PBS and
Voice of America.

Moderated by Haris Tarin, director of MPAC’s Washington, DC
office, the forum featured Noha Bakr, Commissioner of the Montgomery (MD)
County Commission for Women; Daniel Mach, Director of the American Civil
Liberties Union’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief; and Rabbi Gerry
Serotta, Executive Director of Clergy Beyond Borders.

Tarin stressed the damaging impact of such legislation and
stated the importance of “ensuring that the principles that our founding
fathers fought for and enshrined in the Constitution, continue to be part of
our public discourse and legal framework.”

Dr. Bakr explained that shari’a is a basic set of principles
derived from the Qur’an that govern the daily lives of Muslims everywhere,
while Mach spoke about the insidious nature of anti-shari’a bills, asserting
that they are a means of discriminating against Muslims on the basis of
religion. He also reiterated that the ACLU is committed to opposing any bills
that impede freedom of religion. Rabbi Serotta discussed the threat anti-shari’a
bills pose to other faith groups, particularly the Jewish community.

The event concluded with a frank discussion on the
challenges posed by anti-shari’a bills. This fruitful exchange of ideas
provided attendees with an entire spectrum of views on the issue.

Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which
informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource
to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also
committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and
civic participation of American Muslims.