From Public Radio International (PRI)
Roadside signs with quotes from scripture alongside Texas Highway 71 are a reminder that this is God’s country. And to most folks in these parts, that would be a Christian God.
But Muslims might be the fastest growing religious group in Texas. Islam is the largest non-Christian denomination in the state. The US Religious Census in 2010 estimated that 422,000 Muslims call Texas home. That’s more than any other state in the union.
And for some, that’s a problem.
Early this year, the Texas state house in Austin hosted its 7th annual Texas Muslim Capitol Day. It’s an opportunity for Texas Muslims to visit state government headquarters. A small but vocal group of protesters showed up. One of them even commandeered the podium during the day’s proceedings.
“I proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ over the capitol of Texas! I stand against Islam and the false prophet Mohammed!” a woman shouted into the microphone. “Islam will never dominate the United States and by the grace of God it will not dominate Texas!”
Inside the capitol building, Texas state representative Molly White made national news after she had an Israeli flag draped over her desk and then told staff to ask any Muslims visiting her office to denounce terrorism and pledge allegiance to the US.
In the way of official action, conservative lawmakers tried to push two bills through the legislature that would have banned foreign laws in Texas state courts. Authors of the proposed legislation declined to be interviewed for this story. They maintained that the proposed legislation was not aimed at any particular religion.
But Texas Tea Party activist, JoAnn Fleming says she supported the bills because they would have helped put a stop to creeping Islamic sharia law.
“We do see it creeping into communities across Texas and we just believe that it’s important for people to understand that when you come to our country, you need to be under our rule of law,” Fleming says.
“Frankly, if you don’t like that, then this might not be the right place for you,” Fleming adds.
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