What is Sharia law, and why is it so controversial in the United States?

By Asma Uddin, Assistant Professor of Law, Michigan State University; Institute for Humane Studies

At a campaign rally, in Port Huron, Michigan, on Oct. 25, 2026, President Donald Trump accused U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed of being a “jihadist” who wants to impose Sharia law – Islamic law – in the United States. His comments reflect a broader pattern among Republican politicians of portraying Sharia as a threat to the American legal system.

In March 2026, Texas legislators launched the Sharia Free Texas Caucus, a group dedicated to…

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