US Judge Permanently Bans Oklahoma Islamic Law Vote

A federal judge has prohibited Oklahoma officials from certifying the results of a statewide election in 2010 that would have prohibited state courts from considering international or Islamic law when deciding cases.

In an order handed down Thursday, U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange permanently enjoined the State Election Board from certifying results of the vote in which State Question 755 was approved. The measure was passed with 70 percent of the vote on Nov. 2, 2010.

The law was challenged by an Oklahoma Muslim who claimed the constitutional amendment stigmatized his religion and would invalidate his will, which he said is partially based on Islamic Law, also known as Sharia Law.

Miles-LaGrange barred certification of the vote almost three years after she approved a temporary restraining order in the case.