Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Texas Sharia Tribunal Judge Gives Prayer at Rodeo

The first known Sharia Law Islamic Tribunal to operate in the U.S. has been established in North Texas, and one of its judges, Imam Moujahed Bakhach, gave the opening prayer at a local rodeo but reaction by patrons forced cancellation of the Imam's repeat performance the following week.
“[Americans believe] that Sharia means cut the head, chop the heads, cut the hands and we are not doing that. . . . We are not here to invade the White House or invade Austin. We are humble and want to settle a problem between Muslims.”
-- Imam Moujahed Bakhach, of the Islamic Association of Tarrant County, and a Tribunal Judge
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Islamic 'Call to Prayer' at National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Former Christian University Announces Muslim Prayers

Colorado School Visits Mosque, Enforces Sharia Law for Girls' Dress

Massachusetts Students Forced To Learn Muslim Conversion

Teaching Girls to Wear Muslim Hijab in California School

And read myriad examples of public schools favoring Islam.

-- From "North Texas Home To First Islamic Tribunal In U.S." by Jeff Paul, CBS News Local KTVT-TV11 (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX) 2/2/15

It is how Muslims settle disputes in many countries in the Middle East.

Guided by the Muslim religious moral code known as “Sharia,” the judges are offering up their services to handle case involving divorce, business problems, and other disputes among the [Texas] community.

[Tribunal Judge Dr. Taher] El-badawi said they do not handle criminal accusations, child support, custody battles or any transfer of assets.

“People are concerned that there are conflicts between Sharia Law and state law or whatever else. So that’s an important area we need to watch,” said John DeGroote, a lawyer who practices business mediation and is an arbitrator.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Imam Moujahed Bakhach Cancels Muslim Rodeo Prayer After Backlash" by Ed Mazza, The Huffington Post 2/2/15

Imam Moujahed Bakhach of the Islamic Association of Tarrant County delivered the blessing at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo on Jan. 25 as part of a program in which members of different faiths offer prayers before rodeo events.

Rodeo announcer Bob Tallman, known for giving the event a Christian tone, said Bakhach “did a wonderful job," according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

“We live in a big world and a very changing world,” Tallman told the Star-Telegram. “Some people don’t deal well with change. I’ve learned how to live with and be fine with it.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Islamic Tribunal Using Sharia Law In Texas Has Been Confirmed" by F. Peter Brown, Western Journalism 1/28/15

The website for the Islamic tribunal states: “It is with this issue that Muslims here in America are obligated to find a way to solve conflicts and disputes according to the principles of Islamic Law and its legal heritage of fairness and justice in a manner that is reasonable and cost effective.”

El-badawi was asked what would happen if there is conflict between the laws of Texas and Sharia law. He responded that the laws are in agreement most of the time, but said that Sharia would take precedence out of the two in the tribunal.

There are four judges listed on the tribunal’s website: Imam Yusuf Z.Kavakci, Imam Moujahed Bakhach, Imam Zia ul Haque Sheikh, and Dr. El-badawi.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Muslim legal group to establish voluntary sharia law in Texas" by Will Hall, Christian Examiner 2/2/15

[According to the Islamic Tribunal website] . . . the nonprofit is pushing "to set a precendence [sic] that will be emulated and duplicated" throughout the United States.

Despite the four judges' (which include three imams) assurances they will operate to show "non-Muslim communities that we are here in this country to spread peace and love," they present their case for even existing by speaking with some contempt for the U.S. legal system. They call it "costly" and consisting of "ineffective lawyers" and insist there can be no detachment "from the tenets of faith and all Islamic injunctions in regards to the legal field."

Although they say they simply want to assist Muslims in this country who are "discontent" with the local, state and federal legal system and so "postpone justice in this world and opt for an audience on the Day of Judgment," it is clear they hope to be much more of an influence, even "recognized" as a legal authority "by the courts."

"This may be incrementally developed by educating ourselves and also the legal professionals in the country, so understandably it may naturally take time to find its way to be commonly accepted..."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Imam’s rodeo prayer turns into Facebook dust-up" by Shirley Jinkins, Fort Worth Star-Telegram 1/30/15

Giving thanks at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has become more diverse this year as officials have cast a wider net to include more faith-based groups that offer prayers before the bareback bronc riding begins.

While many of the comments on the Stock Show’s Facebook page were supportive of the more inclusive prayer policy, most were not. Opposition did not seem personally directed at Bakhach or his words, but expressed outrage at the inclusion of a member of the Islamic clergy during a time of violence and extremism involving radical Muslim terrorists.

The Fort Worth Stock Show has long featured a Christian flavor, from evangelical-like comments of longtime rodeo announcer Bob Tallman to the growing popularity of Cowboy Church, which is held Sunday mornings at the Will Rogers Auditorium.

Brad Barnes, president and general manager of the Stock Show, who is at each performance of the rodeo, said he saw no indication of anger in the crowd on Sunday, and he characterized Bakhach’s blessing as “spot-on” and “very appropriate.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Congress: America No Longer a Christian Nation

And read President Obama Praises Islam for Making America What It Is and his Secretary of State, John Kerry, Quotes Allah: We Must Fight Climate Change

CAIR-sponsored Texas Muslim Capitol Day - January 29, 2015: