Muslim civil rights group debunks anti-Muslim myths about Sharia, notes Islam requires Muslims to obey the law of the land, and in America that law is the U.S. Constitution
(BALTIMORE, Md., 5/13/2026) – The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin’s forceful defense of the Constitution and religious freedom during a heated congressional hearing targeting “Sharia law.”
Rep. Raskin delivered remarks at a May 13 Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government hearing titled “Sharia-Free America: Why Political Islam & Sharia Law Are Incompatible with the U.S. Constitution II,” which reprised a similar hearing held earlier this year.
SEE: Rep. Raskin FULL Remarks at House Judiciary Hearing
SEE: ‘Fear mongering & conspiracies, let’s talk then’: Jordan vs Raskin explodes at Sharia Law hearing
During the hearing, Rep. Raskin pushed back against the premise that Muslims pose a unique threat to the Constitution, noting that the First Amendment already prohibits government establishment of any religion while protecting the free exercise of religion for all Americans. He also pointed out the absurdity of suggesting that a tiny number of Muslim members of Congress could somehow impose Islamic law on the country.
In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“Rep. Raskin’s epic clap back against Islamophobic conspiracy theories was a bold and necessary defense of the First Amendment, religious freedom, and the truth that Muslim Americans are not outsiders to the Constitution. We are protected by it, we respect it, and we proudly contribute to the pluralistic democracy it promises. At a time when the Islamophobic anti-sharia caucus in Congress is reviving decades-old anti-Muslim conspiracy theories to score political points, Rep. Raskin reminded the nation of a basic truth: the Constitution already protects America from the establishment of any religion, while also protecting every American’s right to practice their faith freely.
“Anti-Sharia hearings are not about protecting the Constitution. They are about demonizing Islam and portraying Muslim Americans as perpetual outsiders. That is dishonest, dangerous and harmful. Our faith and our citizenship are not in conflict. We thank Rep. Raskin for standing against fearmongering and for defending the religious liberty of all Americans, including Maryland’s Muslim communities.”
Contrary to myths, Sharia is not a foreign legal takeover plot. It broadly refers to religious and ethical guidance that informs personal acts of worship, charity, family life, honesty, dietary practices, modesty, contracts, and moral conduct for Muslims. It does not override the U.S. Constitution
Islamic teachings require Muslims to honor their covenants and abide by the law of the land in which they live. For Muslims in the United States, the law of the land is the U.S. Constitution.
CAIR Maryland emphasized that anti-Sharia campaigns often rely on myths that falsely portray ordinary Muslim religious practice as a threat. The organization offered the following clarifications:
Myth: Sharia means Muslims want to replace the Constitution.
Fact: Muslim Americans live under and respect U.S. law. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and Islamic teachings require Muslims to honor lawful agreements and obey the laws of the societies in which they reside.
Myth: Sharia is only about criminal punishments.
Fact: Sharia primarily refers to personal religious practice and moral guidance, including prayer, fasting, charity, honesty, marriage, inheritance, business ethics, and caring for neighbors.
Myth: Religious arbitration or faith-based guidance is unique to Muslims.
Fact: Many faith communities, including Jews and Christians, seek voluntary religious guidance in personal matters. Similar to Halacha in Judaism and Canon Law in Christianity, Sharia law cannot override constitutional rights, civil law, or court authority.
Myth: Muslims cannot be loyal Americans.
Fact: Muslim Americans serve as teachers, doctors, lawyers, first responders, service members, public officials, business owners, parents, students, and community leaders. These communities’ religious freedom is protected by the same Constitution that protects every other faith community.
Earlier this year, CAIR National commended members of Congress, including Rep. Raskin, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon and Rep. Tom McClintock, for making clear during a prior “Sharia” hearing that the U.S. Constitution protects religious freedom and prevents any community from imposing its faith on others.
CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
Written by Wendy Díaz
