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Rep. Burgess Owens backs bill to ban Sharia Law
Utah Rep. Burgess Owens has joined a controversial push to ban Islamic law from American courtrooms—despite no evidence of its implementation in any U.S. jurisdiction.
Owens is one of 9 co-sponsors of the "No Shari'a Act," which was introduced in the House by Republican Reps. Randy Fine from Florida and Keith Self from Texas.
The bill blocks courts from enforcing any judgment that is based on Sharia law.
The legislation emerges amid a growing pattern of similar bills across the country, reflecting heightened political tensions around religious freedom and constitutional rights. Legal experts note that the U.S. Constitution already prevents religious law from superseding civil law.
In announcing the bill on X/Twitter, Fine said, "Sharia Law has no place in the United States of America. We cannot and will not allow for foreign values to overtake our country's legal system. We've seen what has happened in the UK and across Europe with the spread of Sharia, and it is not an exaggeration to say it is coming here next."
We will not allow foreign values to override our Country's legal system, as seen in the UK and Europe. ⁰⁰My new bill, the No Sharia Act, ensures that Sharia Law will never be adopted into American Society. ⁰⁰Let’s get it across the finish line. pic.twitter.com/zLmmb5yIGF— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) September 27, 2025
Currently, no U.S. jurisdiction has proposed or considered implementing Sharia law. Eight states have passed laws that bar courts from considering "foreign" or "religious" law in their decisions. The laws do not specifically name Sharia.
Earlier this month, Texas passed a bill banning "Sharia cities" and compounds. The legislation was a response to a planned Muslim community near Dallas.
Fine told conservative outlet Daily Wire that the legislation would protect the United States from takeover by Islamic radicals.
“We are not going to become a Muslim nation. There are plenty out there,” Fine told The Daily Wire. “If you want to live under Sharia, return to where you came from, but we’re not interested in you coming here and conquering our country.”
Islamic Networks Group, a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote better understanding of Muslims, says on its website that bills like the "No Sharia Act" are nothing more than anti-Muslim fearmongering.
"Since Muslims make up 1 to 2% of the American population, there is little danger of Sharia being substituted for U.S. law in American courts, nor is there evidence that anything of the sort is happening or even is being contemplated."
However, no religious law can supersede state or federal law. Moreover, Sharia commands Muslims to abide by the law of the land in which they reside. [American] Muslims are merely trying to follow Sharia in their personal life just as practicing Jews try to follow Jewish law (halakha). There is no evidence of American Muslims individually or as a group trying to force Sharia on others.
"Muslims are obligated to adhere to the law of the land, and the observance of any laws that run contrary to the Constitution such as polygamy would be prevented even if someone tried to implement them."
Owens' office did not immediately return emails seeking comment.
Monday morning's headlines
Utah and the West
President Russell M. Nelson, church president and medical pioneer, dies at age 101. [KSL]
Utah political, interfaith leaders mourning loss of Russell M. Nelson. [Fox 13]
Spencer Cox's curious, camera-shy behavior at Charlie Kirk's memorial. [Utah Political Watch]
Spencer Cox on "60 Minutes": America's future is at stake. [Deseret News]
Tyler Robinson to virtually attend hearing with attorney as defense team takes shape. [KUTV]
Why Salt Lake City is working to make big changes to its wildland-urban interface code. [KSL]
University of Utah researchers issue report highlighting 10 years of key policy research. [Utah News Dispatch]
Nation
Government shutdown looms ahead of a high-stakes White House meeting. [NBC News]
A look at previous government shutdowns and how they ended. [Associated Press]
Trump says he is ordering troops to Portland, escalating domestic use of military. [Wall Street Journal]
Trump says he'll attend Pete Hegseth's gathering of generals to tell them "how well we're doing militarily." [NBC News]
How the mass shooting and a devastating fire unfolded at a LDS Church meetinghouse in Michigan. [CNN]