In a move that has sent shockwaves through Texas and beyond, Governor Greg Abbott announced a sweeping ban on Sharia law and so-called "Sharia compounds" in the Lone Star State. The announcement, made on September 9, 2025, came in the wake of a viral campaign led by Houston-area Imam F. Qasim ibn Ali Khan of Masjid At-Tawhid, who has been pressuring Muslim-owned stores to stop selling pork, alcohol, and lottery tickets—products considered "haram" or forbidden under Islamic law.
The drama began to unfold when videos of Imam Khan confronting shopkeepers began circulating widely on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). In these videos, Khan, whose mosque is affiliated with the Nation of Islam, can be seen warning Muslim business owners that they have until the end of the month to remove haram products from their shelves or face city-wide protests and boycotts. "We’re just getting started," Khan told one clerk, according to footage reported by Newsmax. "In 30 days, we’re going city-wide." He added, "We should love what Allah allows and hate what Allah hates. Little by little, one by one, we’re going to be visiting all the stores."
Abbott’s response was swift and unequivocal. Posting on X, the governor declared, "I signed laws that BAN Sharia Law and Sharia Compounds in Texas. No business & no individual should fear fools like this." He went further, urging Texans to report any attempts to impose Sharia compliance to local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Public Safety. "If this person, or ANYONE, attempts to impose Sharia compliance, report it to local law enforcement or the Texas Dept. of Public Safety," Abbott reiterated, as cited by multiple outlets including the Daily Mail and IBTimes.
The governor’s office released a formal statement underscoring the state’s position: "In Texas, we believe in equal rights under the law for all men, women, & children. Any legal system that flouts human rights is BANNED in the state of Texas." While Abbott did not specify which new law he was referencing, it’s worth noting that he previously signed legislation in 2017 barring Texas judges from applying any foreign legal system—including Islamic law—in courtrooms.
The campaign led by Imam Khan has drawn both supporters and fierce critics. On one hand, Khan frames his initiative as da’wah—religious outreach—insisting that Muslim businesses must adhere to Islamic teachings or face organized boycotts. "The people that call themselves Muslims should not be selling haram in their stores... Pork, alcohol and gambling need to stop," he declared in one of his viral clips. With protest signs in hand and a camera crew in tow, Khan’s demonstrations have drawn comparisons to hardline "Sharia patrols" seen in parts of Europe.
Khan’s mosque, Masjid At-Tawhid, is known for flying a Palestinian flag and employing private security in uniforms resembling those of local police. His distinctive red henna-dyed beard and fiery rhetoric have made him a polarizing figure in Houston’s diverse Muslim community. According to Newsmax, his TikTok account—with more than 17,000 followers—has amplified his message nationwide, fueling heated debates over religious freedom, free speech, and the boundaries of lawful protest.
Despite the charged atmosphere, legal experts and civil rights advocates point out that Khan’s actions, so far, remain within the bounds of the First Amendment. Peaceful protest and public campaigning, even when controversial, are constitutionally protected. No threats of violence have been reported, and no evidence suggests that Khan has violated any laws. Still, the optics of his campaign—and his warnings that businesses have until the end of the month to comply or "move to a different neighborhood"—have unsettled some local merchants, who rely on a mixed clientele in Houston’s multicultural neighborhoods.
The controversy has also sparked a fierce backlash from Muslim civil rights groups. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sharply criticized Abbott’s announcement, calling it both inflammatory and misleading. In a statement, CAIR argued, "When Texas Muslims pray to God five times a day, donate (to) charity, fast in Ramadan, or speak up against injustice, among many other practices, they are observing Sharia." The group went on to say, "It is false that Sharia is banned in Texas," noting that the term broadly means "the way to water" in Arabic and encompasses a wide range of personal religious observances.
CAIR’s statement highlighted a broader concern: that Abbott’s declaration could fuel anti-Muslim sentiment and misrepresent the nature of Islamic practice. "Comparing Islamic observance to a parallel legal system is misleading," the group said. This sentiment was echoed by other voices online, with some users questioning why religiously motivated boycotts by Christians or Jews would be treated differently. One social media user commented, "Thought Bible is also against gambling and alcohol," sparking a debate about religious consistency and the limits of state intervention in matters of faith.
From the other side of the spectrum, far-right activists and some Texas conservatives have seized on the controversy to call for even harsher measures. Laura Loomer, a prominent right-wing commentator, posted, "The fact that jihadists are going door to door in Texas trying to impose Sharia Law in Texas is a testament to the lack of GOP leadership in Texas." Others demanded that law enforcement "hunt down" those attempting to impose religious codes, rather than simply asking citizens to file reports.
The debate over Sharia law is hardly new in America. Since 2010, 201 anti-Sharia law bills have been proposed in 43 states, with Texas and Arkansas among the 14 states that passed such measures in 2017. Abbott’s latest announcement, however, comes at a time of heightened cultural anxiety, following earlier moves to halt construction on the so-called "EPIC City"—a proposed Muslim-only community near Dallas allegedly designed to operate under Sharia law. "There is no construction taking place," Abbott said earlier this year, confirming ongoing investigations into the project’s legality.
For now, the legal boundaries in Texas remain clear: U.S. law protects peaceful protest, but any attempt to impose religious law carries no standing in the state. As Imam Khan promises to escalate his campaign and Abbott pledges strict enforcement of the ban, the incident has laid bare the deep cultural and religious tensions simmering beneath the surface in Texas. Whether these tensions will spark wider unrest or fade away may depend on how both sides navigate the delicate balance between free speech, religious practice, and the rule of law.
As the month progresses and the deadline set by Khan approaches, all eyes remain on Texas, where the collision between faith, law, and civil liberties is playing out in real time—one viral video at a time.
