Islam and Islamic Shari`ah have become a central theme in electoral rallies of Republican hopefuls to get their party nomination to run in the November presidential election.
Most candidates have toughened their tone in attacking Islamic Shari`ah to win support for running against Democrat president Barack Obama. OnIslam.net provides audience with a quick look into attitudes of Republican candidates on the Islamic faith and Shari`ah.
Anti-Islam
Gingrich is known for repeated criticism of Islam and the Islamic Shari`ah.
In July 2010, Gingrich said that he sees Islamic Shari`ah as a mortal threat to the United States.
He also believes in the theory that advocates of Shari`ah are radical Islamists.
Gingrich and his wife produced in 2010 and narrated a film, “America at Risk”, about what they say the threat of “radical Islam”.
In the film, they discuss what they say the danger of terrorism and Shari`ah against a lurid background of terrorist bombings, bloody victims, wailing sirens and chanting Muslim crowds.
Gingrich had once called for a ban on all mosques near Ground Zero “so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia.”
Gingrich’s anti-Islam slurs are not the first by Republican presidential aspirants.
Republican aspirant Rick Santorum had described Islamic Shari`ah as “an existential threat” to America.
Former candidate Herman Cain had also said that he would not appoint a Muslim in his administration.
Cain, who withdrew from the race for the White House, later modified his position by calling for an unconstitutional “loyalty” oath for Muslim appointees.
US Muslims have been sensing a growing hostility following a hearing presented by Republican representative Peter King on what he described as “radicalization” of US Muslims.
Recently, a Republican Missouri lawmaker described Islam as a disease like polio while another Alaska Rep. branded Muslims as ‘occupiers’ of American neighborhoods.