Judge blocks Oklahoma's ban on Islamic law
By the CNN Wire Staff
November 8, 2010 4:06 p.m. EST
STORY HIGHLIGHTS

* Oklahoma voters passed the state ban by a 70-30 margin
* Muslims argue the measure violates the U.S. Constitution

(CNN) -- A federal judge Monday blocked an amendment to Oklahoma's state constitution that would bar the use of Islamic religious law in state courts after American Muslims challenged the proposal in court.

Oklahoma voters approved the amendment in last week's elections by a 7-3 ratio. But the Council on American-Islamic Relations challenged the measure as a violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. constitution, and U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange issued a temporary restraining order Monday morning that will keep state election officials from certifying that vote.

"What this amendment is going to do is officially disfavor and condemn the Muslim community as being a threat to Oklahoma," said Muneer Awad, executive director of CAIR's Oklahoma chapter. In addition, he said, it would invalidate private documents, such as wills, that are written in compliance with Muslim law, he said.

Miles-LaGrange set a November 22 date for further arguments on the issue.
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