Bella Vista Duo Proposes Ban on Islamic Law and Mosques
By: Shannon Miller
Updated: September 24, 2010
"It is the threat of Sharia law that concerns me," Bella Vista resident Kay Strickland said. "This is a discussion we shouldn't even be having, it's almost mind boggling," a University of Arkansas professor said. A Bella Vista work session quickly turned to a forum on religious affairs Friday. The item of interest was a proposal to ban Muslim law and mosques in town. "I see no reason in our life for a mosque to be created were an Imam might direct the force against the constitution," Bill Duncan, of Veterans Against Jihadism, said. Duncan and Strickland told city leaders they fear Islamic takeover if Sharia law is not banned. Muslim leaders in attendance assured council members that's not their intention "No Muslim advocates the imposition of criminal law or of Sharia law in the United States," Ali Sadiqi, of the Islamic Center of Northwest Arkansas, said. A University of Arkansas law professor says passing the proposal would open the door to questions involving violation of constitutional law. "The easiest way to turn this town into the laughing stock of late night television and to disrespect the constitution that we're attempting to protect would be to allow the proposal to move forward," Stephen Sheppard said. The discussion continued even after the work session, no action was taken on the proposal.
