Ruling Blocking Oklahoma Sharia Ban Is Upheld By Appeals Court

A federal appeals court in Denver, Colorado has upheld a ruling blocking the implementation of an Oklahoma law banning the use of Sharia and international law in its court system.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in the case on Tuesday.

It concluded that the man who challenged the voter-approved law, Muneer Awad, made a strong showing that he could potentially prevail in his lawsuit against state Question 755.

Read the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Opinion.

Awad is the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Oklahoma. He argues that the law amounts to a condemnation of Muslims living in the state.

"This is an important reminder that the Constitution is the last line of defense against a rising tide of anti-Muslim bigotry in our society, and we are pleased that the appeals court recognized that fact," said Muneer Awad. "We are also hopeful that this decision serves as a reminder to politicians wishing to score political points through fear-mongering and bigotry."

Oklahoma's solicitor general says that states have the right to establish their own court systems and have a say in which sets of laws are followed.

"With the decision by the U.S. 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a temporary stay of State Question 755, the case will return to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma to determine its constitutionality," Attorney General Scott Pruitt said. "My office will continue to defend the state in this matter and proceed with the merits of the case."

11/29/2010 Related Story: Federal Judge Rules Against Oklahoma Sharia Law Ban

The Associated Press contributed to this story.