Amanda Head writes for JustTheNews.com about an interesting development in Republican-governed states.
As President Donald Trump’s second term produces immigration policies, deportations and cultural shifts toward a more concentrated citizen population, red states are passing their own legislation and running candidates focused on thwarting Islamic community developments and reducing their influence.
“This is a major offensive in North Texas right now that I don’t understand, but we are pushing back hard. We’ve got several organizations that are helping us. The governor is doing his part now, so I’m pretty optimistic that people are waking up to the dangers of Sharia in North Texas,” Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, told Just The News.
Texas Republicans are intensifying efforts to counter what they call security and cultural risks from the state’s growing Muslim population, moves that dovetail Trump’s America First priorities on immigration vetting and assimilation.
Gov. Greg Abbott moved Tuesday to block a planned Eid al-Adha celebration at the taxpayer-funded Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie. He threatened to withhold $530,000 in state public-safety grants unless the city canceled the event, which was initially advertised as open to “Muslims only.” City officials quickly scrapped it after revising the policy to require “modest dress only” and open access. …
… Republican lawmakers have formed “Sharia-Free” caucuses, targeted the Council on American-Islamic Relations and seen strong primary-voter support — 95% in a non-binding poll — for measures to bar Sharia law in Texas courts. …
… Texas is hardly on a political island on the issue. Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and other states are getting in on the action as well.
In early April, DeSantis signed HB 1471, which explicitly strengthens bans on courts enforcing foreign or religious laws (citing Sharia as an example), allows state officials to designate domestic terrorist organizations, and bars state funds from schools or programs linked to such groups.
