Amid rising concerns nationally about efforts to institute elements of Sharia law in American communities, a bill introduced in the Virginia State Senate could effectively make it illegal to criticize Islam under the guise of combatting “Islamophobia.”
SB 624, which was introduced at the start of the Virginia legislative session in January, “Defines ‘Islamophobia’ as it relates to the crime of assault and battery as malicious prejudice or hatred directed toward Islam or Muslims,” according to an online summary. Notably, the definition applies “regardless of whether the victim is actually a practitioner of Islam” and “directs the Department of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to include the bill’s definition of ‘Islamophobia’ in its hate crime reporting central repository.”
The bill’s patron, Senator Saddam Azlan Salim, is a 36-year-old Muslim immigrant from Bangladesh who was first elected in 2023. He also generated controversy this year for sponsoring a bill, SB 749, which was billed as an “assault weapons ban” but included most commonly owned firearms used for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. That legislation has since passed the State Senate and is now under consideration in the House of Delegates.
It may be tempting to dismiss SB 624 as just another liberal virtue-signaling bill. But by incorporating “Islamophobia” as defined in the bill under the category of “assault and battery,” it takes the radical new step of effectively criminalizing anything that can be construed as “hatred” of Islam.
In other words, displaying “malicious prejudice and hatred” toward not only Muslims, but also anyone who could be perceived as Muslim, would be treated the same under Virginia law as physically attacking or harming someone.
It’s not difficult to see how, if this bill became law, it would create a sort of “Sharia Lite” in Virginia. The definition of what counts as “malicious prejudice” is left intentionally vague to allow for activist-minded prosecutors and judges to target anyone who dares criticize Islamic culture or teachings and charge them with a hate crime.
In effect, it’s a watered-down version of blasphemy laws that pervade Muslim-majority countries – and once it takes root, it’s a safe bet that enforcement will only become more extreme over time.
Despite receiving virtually no mainstream media coverage, SB 624 is one of the most egregious attempted assaults on the First Amendment in recent history. While Salim claims that he was “careful to ensure this does not regulate speech” and says that he “didn’t want to put anything in place that would limit someone’s First Amendment rights,” the plain text of the bill proves otherwise.
First, the bill transparently attempts to create a special legal status for Islam as a religion that no other faith has. Former Governor Glenn Youngkin already signed a bill, SB 7, which enhances assault charges for anyone who “intentionally selects the person against whom a simple assault is committed because of his race, religious conviction, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or ethnic or national origin.” That law covers Muslims, which betrays that SB 624 is really about carving out a privileged status for Islam.
SB 624 is also a clear attempt to impose criminal penalties on anyone who wishes to exercise their freedom of speech to criticize Islam. Even if speech is disagreeable to some, even if it is hateful to most, it is still protected under the First Amendment – but this bill tramples those protections. Assault and battery are crimes that, by definition, denote physical action, but SB 624 raises certain speech to that level of offense.
What should make SB 624 even more outrageous and insulting to Virginia voters is the contrast with legislation that Salim and other Democrats are advancing to reduce penalties for other, more serious crimes. Even as Senate Democrats attempt to ramp up penalties on anyone expressing “malicious prejudice” toward Muslims, another bill, HB 863, abolishes mandatory minimum sentences for some of the worst offenses, including rape, manslaughter, assaulting police officers, and distributing child pornography. Astonishingly, if that bill becomes law, someone convicted of raping a child under the age of 13 could only face probation and escape jail time altogether.
For now, Virginians can breathe a sigh of relief that SB 624 has been “continued to 2027.” This means that the bill won’t be taken up for a vote this year – but it’s not dead. Democrats could’ve killed it entirely by voting to “pass by indefinitely.” Instead, they agreed to consider it again next year.
Americans in other states should pay attention to what’s happening in Virginia – and in places like Texas, where AMAC is involved in an effort against Sharia law – with grave concern. If SB 624 passes in the Old Dominion, it will become a blueprint for similar laws in other states. The concept of “separation of church and state” is entirely antithetical to Sharia law. Politicians and voters alike who care about preserving constitutional republican government should urgently reject its creeping influence.
B.C. Brutus is the pen name of a writer with previous experience in the legislative and executive branches.
This is exactly the reason why non US born citizens should not hold public office of any kind.
But some Muslims can run around IN OUR COUNTRY saying Death to America. Yep, here we go, Virginia will become the UK in no time. WAKE UP PEOPLE and Republicans, if you don’t get out to vote in November, this will be on every single person who stays home!
One does not have to wonder why that Virginia is now “the California of East”. As state government legislatures endorse every ideal of false religions, most of Christianity is sitting back and ignoring of what is happening. This is all a part of the Islamic plan to take over the US. Wake up. The states with leftist type legislatures are falling into the same traps that most European countries have fallen into and once Islam has a majority, there is no turning back as Christianity will be prosecuted.
Sharia law is utterly incompatible with the United States constitution. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe must be spinning in their graves!
Most perfect! I never forget that the income tax was a temporary tax to pay for world war I. Islamic attacked us on 9/11. They won when that wealthy Muslim was elected mayor of New York. Every Friday in times square there is a Muslim call to prayer. Never forget that lying is allowed under Islam.
Islam is a male-centric theocracy which is posing as religion. An ardent practitioner is in contradiction with the United States Constitution. Are the fools in Virginia blind to what has occurred in Europe?
How can we keep losing this war against the Anti-Christ? The Democrat Party is not just any political party. It has become the party of Anti-America. It’s joined in unholy alliance with Communists and Jihadist Islamists. Can we allow this festering sore to continue to undermine our value system and moral precepts? They defend criminals and hurt American citizens when they call for the dissolution of Police and ICE. They harm America when they won’t support Photo I.D. and proof of citizenship to vote. How can any honest and patriotic American vote for this party of hyenas gutting our democracy?
These Islamists want you to give up your constitutional rights while they refuse to abide by our laws as they have been for 250 years under the Constitution. If they want to live under Sharia law then move back to whatever hell hole they came from or their ancestors came from. If they don’t like the environment where they came from then change it there.
If Sharia is such a great form of government then their country would be a lot better than what ours is today and there would be no need for them to leave.
Interesting that the people in favor of these laws ran from their own Countries and are now here to impose this garbage on American Citizens. I guess this is because of Desperate Democrats who will do anything to Impeach President Trump.
Suppose this actually happens do you really think that the Sharia law supporters will bow to misinformed Desperate Democrats afterwards?
If legislation is passed to stop criticism of Islam, then the law should be expanded to stop the criticism of Christianity, Judaism, and other religions. This is obviously an attack on free speech and freedom of religion. This proposed legislation is actually a “Trojan Horse” providing Islam protection while making criticism of Christianity okay. The fact is that anyone who criticizes Islam in most countries is murdered by Islam fundamentalists. Islam allow the killing of Christians and Jews because followers have not submitted to Islam.
We have a country that is built on God given freedom and we have legislated freedoms. How do we allow laws that are contrary to our freedoms,like Sharia garbage even exist in America.How do we allow China and other countries that would destroy us send thousands of kids here to be educated by our Universities so that they can go home and use their newfound knowledge against us? Why do we allow communism disguised as democratic socialism exist in America? Why do we allow a lawless country like Somalia send thousands of their people here to break our laws and harm our people.How is a President allowed to open our borders to let people in who are not legal,not vetted,and then rape and kill women and children and sell children to the highest bidder for sexual exploitation? Do we just have spineless leaders in our government that don’t care about Americans? This is disgraceful and disgusting and must end or else we be destroyed from within! God bless America and God help us,????????
Tell the truth!!! Muslims r here to take over!!! Islam tells Muslims to lie and deceive and to kill Jews and Christians and rape the woman!!! Women have no rights!!!
VA is getting EXACTLY what they voted for.
When the Founders included “no religious test” for office holders, they could not imagine the IDIOTS who would vote in an Islamist [not a Muslim]. Islamism is a political concept, not a religion at all. Muslims may well be good US citizens but Islamists [forcing us to bend to their will] are NOT; nor can they be!
Islam teaches Muslims to act friendly in order to deceive others to think Muslims are friendly!!! This is a lie to Conquer us!!! Everywhere Muslims go they go to take over!!! Look how Mahmdani said bussing would be free. Now he hiked up rates for taking the bus in New York!!! For many New Yorker’s this is how they get around. Everything else he said would be free is going up in price-lie and deceive and turn New York city into a dump-that’s what Muslims do everywhere they go!!! Look at Minneapolis-lie and steal and destroy!!!
One of Islam’s goals is to out reproduce all other races, therefore flooding the world and America with overwhelming numbers. All the while continuing to slide into every possible political office across the country from school boards and city councils, to local, State and federal government positions in every department and agency imaginable. Also, to increase their legislating impact, hold to major positions of influence and power in colleges, universities and all public and private schools.
They already hold key positions in Congress and state governments, and have huge domineering populations in major US cities and communities.
And with every successful attempt brings them closer and closer to taking over, dominating and destroying America from within, little by little, more and more, and faster and faster untill Americans wake up and say “WTF JUST HAPPENED? HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?”…….
WHICH IS THEIR ULTIMATE GOAL!!!!
How did this happen? Because WE THE PEOPLE kept our heads in the sand, literally brushed off the obvious and ignoring the reality right in front of our own eyes. And because we didn’t want to get involved.
WAKE THE HELL UP AMERICA-LOVING PATRIOTS. GET INVOLVED AND PUT A STOP TO THIS EVIL BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. (Write your representatives, attend school board and city council meetings especially if questionable content has raised it’s ugly evil head. Ask your children if any of this anti-American BS is being presented and or taught in any of their classes. If it is, THEN GATHER OTHER PARENTS AND CHALLENGE THE SCOOLS. GET LAWYERS INVOLVED AND SUE THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL (PRINCIPAL AND TEACHERs), the DISTRICT AND THE STATE’S BOARD OF EDUCATION. SND IF YOU HAVE AMERICA LOVING CONGRESS REPS, GET THEM PERSONALLY INVOLVED.
BUT DO SOMETHING. AMERICA’S FUTURE AND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S LIVES DEPEND ON STOPPING THIS EVIL.
Islam is a theocracy. It is a male-centric obsessive sect posing as a religion, which, if practiced as if your life depended upon it, puts you in contradiction with the US Constitution. Are these fools in Virginia blind to what is occurring in Europe?
Think about this. It’s worded in one direction. It’s illegal to say something bad about Islam, but it’s not illegal to say something bad about Judaism or Christianity. That’s exactly what the Muslims want and what their religion professes. It’s also 100% against the First Amendment.
Call me Islamophobic but this has to stop right now. We are the United States of America. Muslims came here supposedly because things were horrible in their country. We are not going to change our free ways to cater to their ancient destructive ways. Everyone else that comes here blends in and assimilates. Don’t come here and try to change America!
Thank-you for this warning about the aggression of Islam. One must be reminded that islam wants to rule the world and destroy Judaism and Christianity. I have read enough of the Koran to know!
So, what about Christians, Jews, Hindu’s, or any other religion. It seems that the proposed legislation is just one religion.
Doesn’t our constitution do that already?
Wonder if Christians could go to any muslim dominated country, and do the same thing?? Methinks NOT…..they would lose their head—LITERALLY!!!!!!!!
Muslims don’t want citizens to have dogs because dogs will take a chunk out of them when they’re attacking Americans!!! Muslims will take every last penny you have, kill the men and boys and take the women and girls as sex slaves!!! Islam is satanic!!!
This is in Violation of OUR CONSTITUTION. They’re infiltrating our American WAYS!
Do you want a CIVIL WAR because by all means this WILL BRING IT!
Any tract where big developers are building houses on tiny lots — a warning sign. These will be used for aliens, and the community is then hostage. Look at Muslim mayors in Akron, Peoria. Muslim reps in Indianapolis, Dearbornistan, Minn., etc.
Senator Salim is taking advantage of a cracked open door. Once he gets what he wants the door will be wide open in the future. Virginia better get their act together and learn just how the radicals infiltrate the great USA. It’s just the beginning of sensorship and destruction of our USA constitution. Take note that he is trying to incorporate the guns? Shari Law is against everything America has and will internally destroy us. They have been here for far too long and has gotten away with far too much. It’s about time our politicians wake up and do their job to protect America first and stop the hurt feelings protocols. They are killing America!!!
You’ve got to be kidding!!!! What the hell is wrong with Virginia? This is what happens when you elect a crazy Democrat women!!!! This must stop!!!
Nope, this needs to be challenged all the way to the supreme court if necessary, there are already laws in our country that contradict what this representative is trying to initiate.
Islam is a male-centric theocracy which, if you are and ardent practitioner, puts you in contradiction to the United States Constitution. have the fools in Virginia become blind to what has occurred in Europe?
idiots… Doesn’t anyone pay attention to history .
Good Job, Virginia…the first step in destroying American values and freedoms will go down as your LEGACY. Be careful what you wish for or legislate…
I hope that there are some heads with common sense left in Virginia.If people in AMERICA can’t see what muslims have planned for AMERICA,then I fear that we are done as a free country and will soon be outlawing BACON,HAM and getting rid of our pets.Their agenda is conquer,convert,eliminate.
Please for people in Virginia……fight anything to do with Sharia Law. The influence and infiltration of muslims into our government is astounding and dangerous. You must fight this to the bitter end. Islam is scheduled to take over Europe, England and the western world in 100 years. They have already basically conquered Europe and England and are in about year 70 of taking over the ‘west.’ We must stop this!!!!!
The worm hole is widening in the U.S. due to our total naivety. First NYC, Minneapolis and now VA. Very frightening look at “Europeanizing” the U.S. Subtle— remember the tortoise: Slow and steady wins the race…
This bill must be defeated.
This could & will spread if we allow it.
I’m telling you. We had better STOP this Muslim crap NOW. Already going on in Britain & their goal is to take over the West. And I’d be willing to bet it’s gross election fraud that’s putting them in political offices. Their intentions are not even hidden. They should not be in our country. I couldn’t care less what names I’m called for my statements; when Americans are finally under their heels, the liberal name-callers will sing a different tune.
So Virginia has learned nothing from European countries who have done the same thing. New York, Virginia, Minnesota, it’s going to destroy your state, then you’re going to cry for the other states to save them. I feel so bad for the real American citizens that didn’t vote for this, they’re going to live in a 3rd world country.
This news is alarming! People need to wake up because this is serious business, this is what happens when you let Muslims in Congress. I am not prejudice but if this takes root we are in trouble!
NO NO NO The Constitution is the law of OUR NATION, the United States of America. Sharia law is not to exist here. Go back to your turdworld country and practice whatever you want there…….I am so fed up with this garbage.
The only people in our Government with spines are our President and his cabinet!We need to make sure that we elect people who believe in our values of God,Family,and Country.And yes,unless you are born and raised in America there is no way you should be able to hold office anywhere in this country. And for the most part we should stop electing lawyers to congress. It appears that most of them have but one talent and that is twisting our constitution and laws into whatever it is that they want without using any common sense!
Pakistan was created for muslims only, so they could all live in peace together, how did that work out?
Wait till the wailing of call to prayer starts every day and you can’t say anything about it or be charged. It’s now playing in N Y city Dearborn Michigan
To have such educated folks serving as Virginia legislators, it’s amazing they would even consider a law compatible with a 7th century ideology!
Flashpoint, a Christian news program, is exposing what Shiria is what the agenda of Islam is all about. They have a download on Shiria Law on their website. See fparmy.com
Flashpoint can be seen M-F at 8:00 pm ET on Youtube, Rumble etc.
more traitors in the country no wonder America is collapsing as we speak
We are now reaping the horrors of having many Muslims in our country and allowing them to be elected to all of our public government offices. We desperately need to allow only babies born to legal citizens to become government officials. And we need to stop admitting Muslims and other terrorists into this country …..period. If we continue the path we are on, this nation will be a terrorist Muslim hell hole. We must stop these people from trying to take away our Christianity and Judaism NOW!!! They kill their children for dating a person who is not Muslim!!! Do we really want to live under their laws???
Assault and battery is already against the law. That would never stand up under our constitution and amendments because it’s prejudice to one certain religion. Somebody needs to fight that in a REAL court.
I want the same for Christianity!
This.is against the Constitution of free speech. They are punishing anyone.for saying anything they don’t like. Welcome.to Marxist Virginia. This is what is done in countries like China and Iran. That should go.to the Supreme Court.