穆斯林律师Assma Ali被任命为密西西比州贝诺伊特镇的市法官，此举在社交媒体引发强烈反对[1]。贝诺伊特镇是一个人口不足400人的小镇[1]。Ali是美国公民、也门裔背景，2017年从密西西比基督教大学获得法学学位并同年获得州律师执业资格[1]。她拥有近10年的移民律师经验，在Ridgeland经营私人律师事务所[1]。
批评者无根据地指责Ali将推行伊斯兰法律，但这些指控均未得到任何证实[1]。法律教授Frank Rosenblatt评论道，这些攻击针对的是Ali的宗教信仰，而非其专业资质[1]。Ali在社交媒体发表声明回应："我出生在美国，作为律师和法官，我致力于维护美国宪法和密西西比州的法律"[1]。她在周一分享了已签署的就职宣誓和镇会议议程[1]。
法律界人士为Ali的资质和品德进行了辩护，指出针对她的攻击违反了美国和密西西比州宪法的宗教平等保护条款[1]。密西西比州立法机构早在2015年就通过了禁止在该州实施任何外国法律的法案[1]。
Assma Ali has been appointed as municipal judge in Benoit, Mississippi, a town with fewer than 400 residents, triggering significant social media opposition and criticism from political figures.[1] Ali, an American citizen of Yemeni descent, earned her law degree from Mississippi Christian University in 2017 and obtained her state bar license that same year.[1] She brings nearly a decade of experience as an immigration attorney and operates a private law practice in Ridgeland.[1]
Critics have leveled unsubstantiated claims that Ali intends to implement Sharia law, allegations that legal experts have rejected.[1] Frank Rosenblatt, a law professor, characterized the attacks as religiously motivated, stating: "We have people from out of state who just see a woman in a hijab and they say action must be taken. These attacks against Ms. Ali are about her religion."[1] In response to the controversy, Ali issued a statement declaring: "I was born in the United States, and as both an attorney and a judge, I am committed to upholding the United States Constitution and the laws of the State of Mississippi."[1] She subsequently shared her signed oath of office and the town council meeting agenda on Monday.[1]
Legal scholars have defended Ali's qualifications and character, noting that the attacks conflict with constitutional protections for religious equality.[1] The state legislature passed a law in 2015 prohibiting the enforcement of any foreign law in Mississippi.[1]