Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially declared a ban on the enforcement of Sharia law and the creation of so-called Sharia-compliant cities or communities within the state.

The governor made this announcement on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a viral video showing protesters carrying placards in support of Sharia law.

“I signed laws that ban Sharia Law and Sharia Compounds in Texas,” Mr Abbott wrote on his official X account. “No business and no individual should fear fools like this.”

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He further urged residents to alert authorities if anyone attempts to impose Sharia compliance. “If this person, or anyone, attempts to impose Sharia compliance, report it to local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Public Safety,” Abbott stated.

The viral protest video that sparked the governor’s response shows an Islamic cleric in the Houston area addressing shopkeepers. The imam, speaking through a megaphone, demanded that local stores stop selling alcohol, pork, and lottery tickets in adherence to Islamic Sharia principles.

“People should not violate the religion of Islam by selling products that are against our religion. Because we should love what Allah loves and hate what Allah hates,” the cleric said during the protest.

He also added that his group would begin visiting stores in the community to discourage the sale of such items. “We will be visiting all the stores in the neighbourhood where the religion of Islam is ignored,” he declared.