Muslims to Launch Pro-Shariah Campaign in 25 US Cities on March 5

Against a backdrop of heartland fears that U.S. Muslims seek to impose Islamic law on American courts, a leading Muslim group will launch a campaign on Monday, March 5, 2012 to dispel what it called misconceptions about Shariah.

The "Defending Religious Freedom: Understanding Shariah" campaign comes at a time when more than 20 states are considering or have passed laws forbidding judges from considering Shariah in their deliberations.

Many Americans associate Shariah with the harsh punishments carried out in a few Muslim countries like Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, even as U.S. Muslim groups insist they have no desire to introduce Islamic law on themselves or others.

"There were all these wrong notions about Shariah," said Professor Zahid Bukhari, president of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), which is sponsoring the campaign.

The roughly $3 million dollar campaign will feature billboards in at least 15 U.S. cities, "Shariah seminars" on 20 college campuses, and town hall-style forums and interfaith events in 25 cities.

Sponsors also set-up a 1-855-SHARIAH hotline where callers can ask volunteers about Islamic law, and has even hired an outside public relations firm, The TASC Group in New York City, to shepherd the effort.

At least two billboards are already up. "Shariah is not scary" is the message that flashes on an electronic billboard above New York City's Holland Tunnel, seen by an estimated 120,000 people every day. Another billboard on I-70 in Kansas City reads "Shariah: Got Questions? Get Answers," and lists the toll-free number and campaign website.

In March, ICNA will sponsor town hall meetings or lectures in Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Boston, and several other U.S. cities and college campuses.