Muslim Sues In Federal Court To Block Oklahoma Ballot Measure

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma Muslim has filed a federal lawsuit against a ballot measure to prohibit state courts from considering international law or Islamic law when deciding cases.

Muneer Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Oklahoma, said he filed a lawsuit Thursday that alleges State Question 755 is unconstitutional.

The ballot question was approved in Tuesday's general election with 70 percent of the vote.

11/3/2010 Related Story: Lawsuits Expected After Three Oklahoma State Questions Pass

Awad says the measure is a political attack on the Muslim community. He says it passed following a well-funded campaign based on misinformation and fear.

The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to block the results of the election from being certified by the state Election Board on November 9th.  The measure is scheduled to go into effect on January 1st.

State Question 755 is one of several state questions facing a challenge.

A law professor at the University of Tulsa plans to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of State Question 746, requiring voters to show ID, and State Question 751, which makes English Oklahoma's official language.

Oklahoma's attorney general-elect is promising a court battle to keep State Question 756. That constitutional amendment allows Oklahomans to opt out of federally mandated health insurance.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.