The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Arizona), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Governor Katie Hobbs’ veto of legislation targeting so-called “Sharia law,” saying the measure was rooted in anti-Muslim misinformation and would have further stigmatized Arizona’s Muslim community.
SEE: Busy veto pen: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs nixes 88 bills
CAIR-Arizona had previously called on Governor Hobbs to reject the bill, warning that it was based on long-debunked conspiracy theories about Islamic religious practices and served no legitimate public policy purpose.
In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
“We welcome Governor Hobbs’ decision to veto this unnecessary and discriminatory legislation. Bills targeting so-called ‘Sharia law’ are not about protecting anyone’s rights or safety. They are about exploiting fear and promoting harmful stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. Such measures send a message that Muslim Arizonans are somehow suspect or unwelcome in their own communities.
“Arizona’s Muslim community contributes to every aspect of our state’s civic, economic, and cultural life. Public officials should focus on bringing people together and addressing the real challenges facing Arizona families, rather than advancing legislation rooted in prejudice and misinformation. We thank Governor Hobbs for rejecting this divisive bill and upholding the values of religious freedom and equal treatment under the law.”
She noted that CAIR and other civil rights organizations have long opposed so-called “anti-Sharia” bills, noting that courts throughout the United States already apply constitutional and state law and that such measures have historically been promoted by anti-Muslim propagandists seeking to fuel suspicion of Islam and Muslim Americans.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
Last month, CAIR commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims and constitutional religious freedom during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law.” CAIR also condemned Republican members and witnesses for promoting anti-Muslim fearmongering and dangerous smear tactics amid rising anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide.
CAIR previously designated the so-called “Sharia-Free America Caucus” organizing the hearing as an anti-Muslim hate group after multiple caucus members publicly called for banning the practice of Islam, expelling Muslims from the United States, or targeting mainstream Muslim organizations and communities.
Community members who experience or witness discrimination, harassment, or bias targeting Muslims or other marginalized groups are encouraged to report incidents to CAIR at: https://www.cair.com/report/
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, 602-349-1573, aabuseif@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com