Arizona lawmakers are moving forward with legislation aimed at preventing courts from recognizing Sharia law, as a Senate panel voted to advance the measure.

The Senate Committee on Federalism approved Senate Bill 1018, which would explicitly bar Arizona courts from applying Sharia. State law already prohibits courts from enforcing foreign law, but supporters say the new language provides clarity and stronger protection.

Sen. Janae Shamp (R-Surprise), the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is preventative: “We’ve seen examples nationwide where foreign laws have been invoked to justify outcomes that would never pass muster under U.S. constitutional standards… Arizona should not wait for a high-profile case to arise on our doorstep. Prevention is a far, far better cure.”

Sharia law refers to Islamic religious principles governing personal conduct, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and criminal matters. Supporters argue some interpretations conflict with constitutional protections, particularly regarding women’s rights.

During the hearing, Jeff Schwartz, a private citizen, raised concerns about a proposed north Phoenix development called “Qatar City,” which he said could be governed by Sharia law. “Sharia law, by definition, is not merely a set of personal beliefs,” Schwartz said. “We cannot allow creation of enclaves where alternative legal systems are encouraged, tolerated, or quietly implemented.”

More than a dozen states, including Kansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Dakota, Alabama, Arizona, and Texas, have passed similar measures. In Oklahoma, voters approved a Sharia ban in 2010, but it was later blocked by federal courts and replaced with broader foreign-law language.

Sen. Mark Finchem (R-Prescott) supported the bill but questioned whether a community could legally override state or federal law, expressing concern about judicial discretion. “I have just about lost faith in the court system in the United States,” he said. “It only takes one judge to allow that jurisprudence to seep in.”

The measure now heads to the Senate Rules Committee for constitutional review before moving to the full Senate.