(Image Source: AINA)

BY TRACY PFEIFFER

Sharia law is officially not “OK” in the state of Oklahoma, where seventy percent of voters cast their ballot in favor of State Question 755, which bans judges from considering international law and, specifically, Sharia law, in their rulings.

We’re looking at coverage and analysis from Fox News, the Tulsa World, the Wall Street Journal, KFOR, and CNN.

In June, Oklahoma State Representative Rex Duncan went on Fox News to promote State Question 755, which he calls the “Save Our State Amendment.”  He told Fox News’ Sean Hannity he wants to deliver a pre-emptive strike to the use of Sharia in courts, using Great Britain as an example.

DUNCAN: "I’ve described it as a cancer upon Great Britain’s survivability -- it is that serious. ... Say, a domestic case -- a family divorce or child custody arbitration.  These parties would come to the court and say, ‘We want to be bound by Islamic law,’ and then ask the courts to enforce those agreements.  That is a backdoor way to get Sharia law into the courts.”

The executive director of Oklahoma’s chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, tells the Tulsa World he believes the amendment is driven by anti-Muslim sentiments, but also points to a practical problem it might present for Oklahoma:

"A law such as this sends us backwards, and is really bad for business, especially in an oil state that deals with the Middle East. ... These are Muslim countries. They won't want to do business with a state that's hateful and bigoted. It sends the wrong message.”

And while interpretations of Sharia law differ across the globe, a writer for the Wall Street Journal quotes the Council on Foreign Relations in pointing out -- sometimes, it HAS been used for ill purposes.

“Sharia, meaning ‘path’ in Arabic, guides all aspects of Muslim life. But in some countries, strict interpretations ‘are used to justify cruel punishments such an amputation and stoning as well as unequal treatment of women in inheritance, dress and independance.’”

A second member of CAIR tells Oklahoma City’s KFOR state question 755 is useless anti-Muslim propaganda; there has always been rules against the use of Sharia law in court rooms.

“Our Constitution ensures that a religious law would never conflict with our laws -- this is in fact why it’s never happened. Sharia law has never been used in an Oklahoma court.  No one has ever proposed for Sharia law to be used in an Oklahoma court.”

Finally, a blogger for CNN asks a tough question:

“Is Oklahoma's state constitution now in direct conflict with the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment, which states, ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion ... ‘?”

The Wall Street Journal reports there are roughly 30,000 Muslims living in the Sooner State, which has an overall population of 3.7 million people.