An open house at a Plano mosque drew attention Saturday when a speaker present stated that “Sharia is already here.”
According to The Dallas Express, the meeting took place at the Islamic Association of Collin County and was organized by WhyIslam Dallas in partnership with GainPeace and ICNA Dallas.
The event, entitled “Understanding Islam & Shariah: Myths vs Facts,” provided an opportunity to “learn about Islam, ask questions, and engage in respectful, meaningful conversations,” according to a posting.
The statements made by GainPeace Executive Director Dr. Sabeel Ahmed were in reference to the moral and religious practices already being carried out by Muslims living in the area. “Right now, as you eat your lunch [provided by the event], you are part of the practice of Sharia by Muslims,” said Ahmed.
“Some people may fear Sharia is coming to the U.S. Do not fear. Sharia is not coming to the U.S. And the reason it is not coming to the U.S. is because it is already here.”
Ahmed described Sharia as a religious practice, rather than state-enforced law as it is in some middle eastern countries.
Many individuals attended the event to either express their opposition or support to Islam and Sharia.
Edwin Isagholi, an Iran-born resident of Rockwall and convert to Christianity from Islam, stated outside the event that he “came from Iran” and “lived under full force of Sharia law.”
Isagholi also stated that “Islam becomes offensive the minute it takes power … That is when you see the apostasy laws, where they’re being killed for leaving their religion in my country, Iran.”
In contrast to Isagholi’s comments, Jacob Kennedy of Indivisible Frisco stated that while he opposes “any attempt to impose religious law in the United States,” he also believes “Muslims remain free to practice their faith privately.”
“We have a huge problem in Texas, particularly in the Dallas area, with mass Islamic migration,” U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill (R–Flower Mound) told The Dallas Express. “It is transforming local communities.”
Additionally, former FBI counterterrorism agent John Guandolo stated during an interview in April that “there is a massive jihadi network and movement in the United States” and that the invasion “is much more an espionage counter-intelligence subversion.”
