ACLU of Oklahoma and CAIR to Ask Appeals Court Monday to Uphold Ruling

ACLU of Oklahoma and CAIR to Ask Appeals Court Monday to Uphold Ruling Blocking Implementation of Oklahoma Ban on Sharia and International Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2011
CONTACT:
Robyn Shepherd, ACLU national, (212) 519-7829 or 549-2666; media@aclu.org
DENVER – Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will present arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Monday, September 12 at 1:00 p.m. MDT to ask that the court uphold a ruling blocking implementation of a discriminatory and unnecessary Oklahoma state constitutional amendment that prohibits courts from applying – or even considering – what is broadly described as Islamic "Sharia law" and “international law.”

The measure, officially titled the “Save Our State Amendment,” was temporarily enjoined last year by a lower court for blatantly disfavoring an entire faith and denyingOklahoma’s Muslims access to the judicial system on the same terms as every other citizen. The ACLU and CAIR are seeking to have the amendment permanently struck down.

More information on the case is available at: www.aclu.org/religion-belief/muneer-awad-v-paul-ziriax-oklahoma-state-board-elections-et-al

WHAT:
Arguments in appeal of lower court ruling blocking implementation of anOklahoma state constitutional amendment prohibiting courts from applying or considering Sharia law and international law.

WHO:
Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief; Micheal Salem, cooperating counsel from Salem Law Offices, who will be presenting arguments; and Muneer Awad, Executive Director of CAIR’s Oklahoma chapter and plaintiff in the case will be in attendance and available to speak to reporters.

WHEN:
Monday, September 12, 2011
1:00 p.m. MDT

WHERE:
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Byron White U.S. Courthouse
1823 Stout Street
Denver,Colo.