(RNS) An amendment to Oklahoma's constitution that bans state judges
from considering Islamic law will face its next legal hurdle on Monday
(Sept. 12) when a federal appeals court considers its constitutionality.
Just weeks after it was approved by 70 percent of Oklahoma voters
last November, U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange ruled it
unconstitutional, saying "the will of the `majority' has on occasion
conflicted with the constitutional rights of individuals."
The case now heads to the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals, and the outcome could affect efforts to pursue similar
legislation in more than 20 other states.
