Muslim campaign seeks to dispel Shariah fears

On March 5, a U.S. Muslim organization is launching a campaign to promote understanding of Shariah law and dispel widely held misconceptions about what Shariah means in the context of 21st-century western society.

"Defending Religious Freedom: Understanding Shariah" is sponsored by the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) at a time when some Americans fear that Muslims wish to impose Islamic law in the U.S.-a law they associate with harsh medieval-style punishments and unfair treatment of women.

A recent poll of U.S. and Canadian Muslims, however, reported that the majority did not want to impose Shariah law in North America (See Anglican Journal story here).

Last month a Florida senate panel voted to exclude the use of any sort of religious law in that state, and about two dozen other state legislatures are working on similar measures.

The extensive $3 million ICNA campaign-which has already drawn fire from some U.S. anti-Islamic groups-will provide for billboards in 25 key U.S. cities, seminars on college campuses, and town hall-style forums and interfaith events in cities across the country.

People with concerns about Shariah law can call a hotline (1-855-SHARIAH) or go to www.defendingreligiousfreedom.com.