Texas GOP rhetoric and delegate disputes raise concerns over exclusion of Muslims
A Texas Republican convention marked by calls to ban Sharia law and efforts to remove Muslim delegates has drawn criticism for Islamophobia
DALLAS, United States (MNTV) — Republican leaders at a recent Texas convention promoted a hardline stance against Sharia law while internal disputes emerged over the participation of Muslim delegates within the state party.
Messaging such as “Don’t Sharia Our Texas” featured prominently in speeches and panels throughout the event. Governor Greg Abbott called for a future legislative session to “totally ban Sharia law,” reinforcing a broader party position that frames Islamic legal concepts as incompatible with Texas governance.
This rhetoric coincided with efforts by some delegates to remove Muslim participants from the convention.
Two long-standing Muslim GOP delegates were targeted for expulsion, prompting internal conflict over whether their presence aligned with party values. One of those delegates, Amjad Muhtaseb, said he is politically conservative on issues including drugs, pornography, and fiscal policy, and argued that his ideological alignment should make room for him within the party.
The dispute exposed competing interpretations of party unity. State Representative Brent Money described his interactions with Muhtaseb as respectful dialogue, while Muhtaseb said his comments were selectively framed to serve a broader political narrative.
More extreme positions also surfaced at the convention. Some activists called for expelling Muslim delegates and extending punitive measures to individuals associated with Muslim advocacy organisations.
One figure, Bo French, publicly supported removing delegates and made additional claims targeting family members of attendees linked to CAIR.
The state party platform included language urging that advocacy for Sharia be treated as a criminal act, with proposals extending to political disqualification and other penalties. Legal experts note, however, that Sharia is not enforceable as law in the United States, and no mechanism exists to impose religious legal systems on non-consenting individuals.
Several Democratic lawmakers, including the first Muslim members of the Texas Legislature, said the convention rhetoric had intensified their personal vulnerability and political targeting. Security concerns have also been raised in the broader environment, with authorities charging an individual accused of threatening violence against a Houston religious centre — an incident cited by activists as evidence that inflammatory political rhetoric increases real-world risks for Muslim communities.
Political analysts suggest the anti-Sharia focus reflects strategic messaging rather than a central voter concern, noting that economic issues remain more important to the broader electorate.
Despite internal tensions, Muslim Republican delegates involved in the dispute say they intend to remain engaged in party politics, arguing that participation is necessary to ensure representation and challenge narratives that portray Muslim conservatives as incompatible with Republican identity.
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