Texas Bans Sharia Law After Cleric Asks Shopkeepers Not To Sell Liquor, Pork
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said his state has banned the enforcement of Islamic Sharia law and urged residents to report any attempts to impose "Sharia compliance" on businesses or individuals.
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Texas Governor Issues Statement Against Sharia Law
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has announced that his state prohibits the implementation of Islamic Sharia law and encouraged Texas residents to notify authorities about any attempts to impose "Sharia compliance" on businesses or individuals.
The governor's statement came after a video went viral showing a Muslim religious leader in Houston using a loudspeaker to encourage local shop owners to refrain from selling alcohol, pork products, and lottery tickets.
Abbott characterized this incident as harassment and emphasized that Texas will not permit attempts to enforce religious codes within the public sphere.
"I signed laws that BAN Sharia Law and Sharia Compounds in Texas. No business & no individual should fear fools like this," Abbott stated in a post published on X on September 9.
"If this person, or ANYONE, attempts to impose Sharia compliance, report it to local law enforcement or the Texas Dept. of Public Safety," he continued.
I signed laws that BAN Sharia Law and Sharia Compounds in Texas.No business & no individual should fear fools like this.If this person, or ANYONE, attempts to impose Sharia compliance, report it to local law enforcement or the Texas Dept. of Public Safety. https://t.co/cVV2MJItLH
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 8, 2025
While Texas does not have a specific "Sharia ban," the state's 2017 American Laws for American Courts legislation prevents courts from applying any foreign or religious legal codes, including Sharia, when they conflict with United States law.
Muslim advocacy organizations, such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), have criticized Abbott's comments as misleading, emphasizing that Sharia is intended to govern personal religious practices rather than civil law.
Earlier in the year, Abbott opposed the development of EPIC City, a proposed 400-acre residential and commercial project by the East Plano Islamic Center. The development would have included homes, schools, a mosque, and commercial facilities. Abbott suggested it could become a "Sharia zone" and directed multiple state agencies to conduct investigations.
Critics have accused the governor of exaggerating the threat and warned about potential religious profiling.
Abbott, a Republican and supporter of President Donald Trump, has frequently taken strong stances on matters related to immigration, religion, and cultural issues.