Khaberni - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law prohibiting the application of Islamic Sharia in state courts and granting authorities the power to designate organizations as "terrorist" and expel students who support them.
Republican Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, on Monday, signed the law (HB 1471) introduced by Representative Hillary Castle, which allows a limited number of government officials to label organizations as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations, and expel state university students who "promote" or provide support to them.
The law stipulates that Florida courts are prohibited from applying any part of Islamic Sharia, which the article defines as "a set of principles governing the moral and religious life of Muslims".
Under the law, the label "terrorist" can be applied at the discretion of the state's Homeland Security officer if a group is accused of engaging in terrorist activity as defined in Florida law, such as intimidating or harming or coercing civilian populations, or influencing government policy through destruction of property or assassination or murder or kidnapping.
The recommendation is presented in writing by the Homeland Security officer, then approved by the governor and three members of the Florida Cabinet (the Attorney General, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Commissioner of Agriculture), and within seven days of the notice being published, the organization or any member thereof has the right to challenge the designation in circuit court.
Once any group is designated as a terrorist organization, the allocation of state funds to schools or government agencies associated with it is prohibited, and it can be dissolved and deprived of any government funding, with universities required to inform the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the status of all expelled students studying on entry visas.
Commenting on the law, DeSantis said: "We will allocate millions for public safety, millions for education, but not one cent for jihad". Meanwhile, Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins stated: "Islamic Sharia is not just a personal spiritual guide, it is incompatible with our Constitution's values, but it is a full political and legal law derived from the Quran and the hadiths of Muhammad himself".
Reactions to the decision
The organization "CAIR Florida" announced that it would respond to the governor at a press conference, and its executive director stated: "We have been unfairly targeted, especially when Governor DeSantis falsely labeled us terrorists without any legal authority or evidence. This is not just about 'CAIR', this extensively flawed framework could attack any organization daring to oppose".
Democrats strongly opposed the bill, with Representative Rita Harris saying it places "an extraordinary focus of power" in the hands of a few officials without legislative approval, independent judicial ruling, or a meaningful oversight mechanism. Representative Robin Bartleman wondered whether organizations like "NOW" (National Organization for Women) or "Planned Parenthood" could be designated as terrorist organizations.
It is noted that this law comes four months after DeSantis signed an executive order classifying the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as "terrorist organizations", and a federal judge issued a temporary court order last month preventing that from being enforced. DeSantis expects the law to face legal challenges but expressed confidence that the state would ultimately prevail.
