Idaho Panel Postpones Vote on Anti-Shariah Law Legislation

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lawmakers are considering approving legislation aimed at prohibiting Shariah law and other foreign statutes from infiltrating Idaho government.

The House State Affairs Committee discussed the measure at length Wednesday, but ultimately decided to delay voting until Thursday. The legislation doesn't specifically mention the strict interpretation of Islamic law, commonly referred to as Shariah law.

However, it would keep Idaho courts or agencies from basing rulings that don't grant people the same rights guaranteed in the state and U.S. constitutions. Republican Rep. Eric Redman, of Athol, says Shariah law is concern across the country and in Idaho.

He also argued that Sharia law has dictated court decisions in other states and Europe. To date, there are no known cases in which an Idaho judge has based a ruling on Islamic law.