The No Shari'a Act would prohibit U.S. courts from enforcing judgments, contracts, or arbitration decisions based on Shari'a (Islamic law) or other foreign legal systems if doing so would violate constitutional rights such as due process, equal protection, or freedom of religion. The bill applies to federal, state, and territorial courts as well as arbitration tribunals, and specifically addresses family law matters including marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance. Congress's stated intent is to ensure that only American law governs American courts and to protect vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, from potential coercion or unequal treatment under foreign legal systems. The Attorney General would be tasked with issuing regulations and providing judicial guidance to ensure consistent application across all jurisdictions. The legislation would take effect 180 days after enactment, with no specific funding appropriated in the bill text.
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