Federal Judge Blocks Oklahoma's Sharia Ban

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing Oklahoma from adding to its constitution a ban on courts considering international or Sharia law. The judge found in favor of a Muslim leader who argued that his constitutional religious rights were in jeopardy, the Oklahoman reports. The ban was approved by 70% of voters earlier this month.

"While the public has an interest in the will of the voters being carried out, the court finds
that the public has a more profound and long-term interest in upholding an individual's constitutional rights," the judge wrote. The Muslim plaintiff argued that the ban singled out his religion and would invalidate legal documents, including his will, that had been drawn up under religious guidelines.