Shariah Update

Religious bigotry by Oklahoma voters might be a boon for artistic freedom. As shared last week, Oklahoma voters overwhelming approved a change in the state constitution, banning judges in state court from considering international law in general, and Islamic law in particular. However, a federal judge in Oklahoma has temporarily blocked Measure 755, citing a pending lawsuit which argues that the measure is unconstitutional. While the ACLU and Islamic civil rights activists may view this new law as unconstitutional and perhaps discriminatory, many artists in England are offering a different way of considering the conflict. They are fighting to ensure that religious-based censorship is not upheld by the courts. I stand with the UK artists and the view that an abuse should not take away a use.