Texas Republican state Rep. Brian Harrison is urging the Texas Legislature to convene a special session to address what he describes as a growing threat of Sharia law in the state. Harrison’s call comes in the wake of recent incidents, including the McKinney City Council’s approval of a mosque relocation, which has reignited debate over the influence of religious law and the allocation of state funds to organizations with alleged ties to Islamist movements.
Harrison contends that, despite repeated assurances from state officials that Sharia law is banned in Texas, enforcement is insufficient and loopholes remain in state law. He maintains that Texans have been misled regarding the effectiveness of government action on this issue. "Texans have been told that their government has been handling this problem, when they objectively have not been," Harrison told the Daily Signal.
The issue of Sharia law and its perceived influence has been a recurring topic in Texas politics. Harrison’s latest push follows his formal request earlier this year for the Legislature to consider a range of measures. These include ending taxpayer funding to organizations with alleged terror ties, expanding prohibitions on Sharia courts to all parts of the Texas code, closing statutory exemptions such as those that protected the EPIC City project, legislatively designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as terror organizations, and gathering input from stakeholders.
Harrison’s Allegations and Proposals
In a recent interview with WBAP radio host Matt Locke, Harrison claimed that two functioning Sharia tribunals currently operate in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He argued that the state’s response to concerns about Sharia law has been inadequate and that more robust legislative action is needed. Harrison has called for tighter reviews of the state grant-making process, citing what he described as "ample evidence" that organizations with alleged terror ties have received state funding.
Harrison referenced a report by the RAIR Foundation, which claimed that the Katy Muslim American Society, also known as Masjid Ar-Rahman, received over $91,000 in taxpayer money through a state-approved grant. He also cited a 2025 report by the Middle East Forum alleging that $13 million in federal and state funds had been allocated to mosques and community groups aligned with Islamist movements. Harrison argues that these examples highlight the need for stricter oversight and legislative action to prevent state resources from reaching such organizations.
Harrison’s plan includes expanding prohibitions on Sharia courts to all parts of the Texas code and closing what he describes as statutory loopholes. He has also called for legislative designation of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terror organizations, arguing that such measures would provide clarity and strengthen enforcement.
Designation of Organizations and State Response
Harrison has praised Gov. Greg Abbott for designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations. However, he has expressed concern that these groups "are still able to freely operate in the state," raising questions about the practical impact of the designation. "Last I checked, their money is still freely flowing throughout the state of Texas. So, are they terror organizations or are they not?" Harrison said.
Harrison has emphasized that Texans are seeking concrete results rather than rhetoric. "The bottom line for me is Texans want results. They're getting sick of empty rhetoric, and unfortunately, that's a lot of what we have going on here," he said. He expects numerous bills to be filed in the next legislative session to address these concerns, including measures to expand prohibitions on Sharia courts and close statutory loopholes.
Calls for Action and Reactions
Harrison has urged the Legislature to act immediately, stating that only public pressure has led to what he describes as "conservative victories" in Texas government. He has also requested that the Legislature gather input from stakeholders and consider legislative designation of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terror organizations.
So far, supporters of the mosque relocation and organizations named by Harrison have not publicly responded to his claims. No Texas officials have issued statements addressing Harrison’s call for a special session or his allegations regarding state funding and Sharia law enforcement. The debate over the role of religious law and state funding for organizations with alleged ties to Islamist movements remains ongoing in Texas, with Harrison’s proposals likely to be a focal point in future legislative discussions.
