Comparing Texas’ abortion ban to Islamic law is inaccurate, perpetuates Islamophobia, experts say
By Alejandra Molina | Religion News Service
(WASHINGTON POST) (RNS) — The comparisons to Islamic law and Muslim majority countries after the Texas abortion law took effect Wednesday (Sept. 1) were almost immediate.
Author Stephen King tweeted: “The Taliban would love the Texas abortion law.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a cartoon depicting two women in black burqas with a speech bubble above them that reads: “Pray for Texas women …”
An Arizona Republic opinion column made the case that the new law — which bans abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy — “seems to have less to do with the U.S. constitution than with Sharia law.” The headline declared: “Texas goes Taliban on abortion rights. Is Arizona next?”
These comparisons are not only inaccurate but further perpetuate Islamophobia, experts say, adding that this rationale minimizes the role of Christianity and other U.S. systems that led to this severely restrictive abortion ban in Texas.
