MS: FAITH LEADERS SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF MUSLIM JUDGE
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JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — Faith leaders and community members in Mississippi are urging Commissioner Andy Gipson to remove his social media posts advocating for a ban on Sharia law, following concerns about their impact on religious freedom and safety.
Gipson, who is running for governor, has posted multiple times about stopping Sharia law, which is a religious and moral code for Muslims. The calls for action come after Benoit Municipal Court Judge Assma Ali, who is Muslim, received threats due to her faith.
“These public statements are misleading, inflammatory, and endanger important Mississippi institutions and people,” said Pastor Jimmy Lee Edwards of Rosemont Baptist Church.
Gipson defended his comments, stating they were not directed at Ali and reflect his long-standing views.
“This is something that I have been advocating for a long time, if you go back and look from last November 22nd, I posted one of my plans to ban Sharia law even before this was an issue,” Gipson said.
“I am not backing down from what I said, I said nothing wrong because what I said is right. For people who do not think this is an issue, you better open your eyes and get your head out of the sand,” he added.
Kathleen O’Beirne, who attended the press conference, expressed frustration with Gipson’s stance, urging him to better understand Sharia law before acting on his beliefs.
“It makes me angry and concerned about the ignorance that we see on social media. You can practice any faith that you want to and still do your job to uphold the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Mississippi,” O’Beirne said.
Okolo Rashid, co-founder of the International Museum of Muslim Cultures, emphasized the importance of religious freedom for all Mississippians.
“The Sharia Law is like a law of Moses and the ten commandments, it is just about the laws that governs a just and upright community of people,” Rashid said.
Both organizations are inviting Commissioner Gipson to join them in a conversation about uniting Mississippi across faith traditions.
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