An India-born Republican leader in Texas named Shahid Shafi is likely to be removed as the party’s vice chairman for “being a Muslim” for allegedly preferring Islamic law over US law, according to media reports.
He was born in India and raised in Pakistan and later moved to the US to study medicine. He became a naturalised citizen in 2009 and, since then, has been involved with the Republican Party.
The Texas Tribune reported that a group of Tarrant County Republicans will vote on Thursday on whether to remove him as vice-chairman of the county party after a small faction of the members put forth a formal motion to remove him because he is Muslim.
Those in favour of the motion to dismiss Mr Shafi, said he does not represent all Tarrant County Republicans. They also stated that Islamic ideologies run counter to the US Constitution.
According to the report published in The Texas Tribune, Mr Shafi, a trauma surgeon and member of the Southlake City Council has also denied the allegations.
Mr Shafi while speaking to the Washington Post said “This is, unfortunately, not the first time that people or my political opponents have tried to use my religion against me to distract the voters. And unfortunately, I don’t think it will be the last either.”
In an open letter, he wrote that he believed “Much of the hate against Muslims is driven by a fear of terrorism”, Here are the facts. I have never had any association with the Muslim Brotherhood nor (the Council on American-Islamic Relations) nor any terrorist organisation.”
“I believe that the laws of our nation are our Constitution and the laws passed by our elected legislatures. I have never promoted any form of Sharia Law. I fully support and believe in American Laws for American Courts. I am honoured to be an American and a Republican,” he was quoted as saying.