Muslim state lawmaker gets ‘Sharia Law’ question at town hall

A state delegate in Virginia says he was asked about Sharia Law during his first town hall event with constituents over the weekend, adding he felt targeted because he is Muslim.

State Delegate Ibraheem Samirah (D) shared an audio clip from the exchange on Twitter, writing, “Here’s a glimpse into being a Muslim in office.”

Samirah recalled that he was asked by an attendee, “How do you plan to implement Sharia Law in Virginia?”{mosads}

“I was just curious,” a woman can be heard asking in a recording from the town hall, local CBS outlet WUSA 9 reported.

“I think your curiosity is directed at my religion, being Muslim,” Samirah responded, according to the outlet.

Samirah told WUSA that the question was the first one he took at the town hall.

“For those that believe in God, we all have one God, we all believe in that one God,” Samirah said in audio included in his tweet. “If that concerns you the most, please approach me after if you have any questions about my faith.”

Here’s a glimpse into being a Muslim in office:

Yesterday was my first town hall as a new Delegate. I was excited to talk about healthcare, the environment, housing and more.

However, one of the first questions asked was: “How do you plan to implement Sharia Law in Virginia?” pic.twitter.com/CMIdWnlLO8

— Delegate Ibraheem Samirah (@IbraheemSamirah) May 12, 2019

He later shared the WUSA story on Twitter, adding, “I hope to next time make the news for others reasons – like my ideas for reducing healthcare costs and improving healthcare quality, promoting clean air and water while combating climate change, and funding our public schools and teachers.”

I hope to next time make the news for others reasons – like my ideas for reducing healthcare costs and improving healthcare quality, promoting clean air and water while combating climate change, and funding our public schools and teachers. https://t.co/tMjf7CnoRv

— Delegate Ibraheem Samirah (@IbraheemSamirah) May 14, 2019

Sharia law is the legal system of Islam derived from the Koran, Islam’s religious scripture, and fatwas, which are the rulings of Islamic scholars, according to the BBC.

Samirah took office earlier this year after winning a special election to fill a vacant seat in the state House of Delegates. Samirah’s victory made him the second Muslim to be elected to serve in Virginia’s legislature.