AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Dan Foreman, a Republican state senator in Idaho, has introduced legislation that would bar the use of what he termed “religious or cultural law” in Idaho courts, despite acknowledging that there have been no known court rulings in the state based on religious law. Foreman said the proposal is intended as a reaffirmation of constitutional principles and should be viewed as a preventive measure.
Speaking to the media, Foreman argued that the absence of such cases today does not rule out their emergence in the future, adding that the bill merely reiterates support for the existing legal system. He also pointed to what he described as “efforts in other states,” including Texas, as part of his rationale.
The proposal was discussed in the Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee. During the hearing, Republican Senator Brian Lenney referenced Islamic Shariah and cited a court case in New Jersey, noting that the initial ruling in that case was later overturned. Foreman stressed that the legislation is not intended to target Islamic law.
Democratic Senator James Ruchti, a member of the same committee, countered that the underlying intent of the bill is to oppose Shariah, even though he described the text itself as “religiously neutral.” Idaho has previously considered similar measures, which drew criticism at the time, including from the state’s then-governor.
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