JACKSON, Miss. — Faith leaders, community advocates and several Mississippi residents on Friday publicly urged state Commissioner Andy Gipson to remove social media posts calling for a ban on Sharia law, saying the posts are inflammatory and risk the safety and religious liberty of Muslim Mississippians. Gipson, who is running for governor, said he will not rescind the comments.
Why leaders raised alarm
Speakers at a Jackson news conference pointed to recent threats targeting Benoit Municipal Court Judge Assma Ali, a Muslim, as evidence of how public rhetoric can spur harassment and endanger people and institutions. Organizers said Gipson’s posts — which repeatedly call for stopping what he described as "Sharia law" — have heightened concerns within Muslim communities about acceptance and safety.
"These public statements are misleading, inflammatory, and endanger important Mississippi institutions and people," said Pastor Jimmy Lee Edwards of Rosemont Baptist Church, urging Gipson to remove the social media messages.
“This is something that I have been advocating for a long time ... I am not backing down from what I said, I said nothing wrong because what I said is right.”
The quote above is Gipson’s response, delivered at the same event, in which he defended his posts and said his opposition to Sharia law predates the recent controversy.
Gipson’s stance and response
Gipson reiterated that his social media remarks were not aimed at Judge Ali personally and framed his opposition as a long-standing policy position. He told reporters he first posted about a plan to ban Sharia law on Nov. 22 of last year, and said he would not retract or soften his public comments.
He added that people who do not view Sharia law as an issue should "open your eyes and get your head out of the sand," language that organizers at the news conference said further inflames tensions.
Voices from the Muslim community
Attendees at the news conference, including leaders from local Muslim institutions, urged dialogue and education rather than rhetoric that singles out a faith tradition.
Kathleen O’Beirne, who attended the gathering, said she was frustrated by what she described as ignorance on social media and emphasized that citizens of any faith can serve public office while upholding the U.S. and state constitutions.
Okolo Rashid, co-founder of the International Museum of Muslim Cultures, sought to demystify Sharia law, saying it parallels other faith-based moral codes and is fundamentally about governing a just community.
Calls for conversation and next steps
Organizers extended an invitation for Gipson to meet with faith leaders and community representatives to discuss concerns and clarify misconceptions about religious law and constitutional protections. They said they want a constructive conversation rather than escalating rhetoric.
- Safety concerns: Organizers tied public statements to threats received by a Muslim judge.
- Religious liberty: Leaders warned the posts risk undermining the constitutional right to practice one’s faith.
- Invitation to dialogue: Community groups asked Gipson to join a conversation to address misunderstanding about Sharia law.
Context and local impact
The exchange comes as Gipson campaigns for governor and as local communities continue to respond to the threats against Judge Assma Ali. While Gipson framed his comments as a policy position, critics said the language used in public posts and campaign communications can have consequences beyond political debate, especially when it touches on religious identity.
Faith leaders and community advocates said they fear that continued public targeting of a religious legal tradition can normalize suspicion of Muslim residents and public officials, potentially affecting employment, the courtroom atmosphere, and the willingness of qualified candidates from minority faiths to serve in public roles.
| Issue | Concern raised |
|---|---|
| Social media posts | Described as inflammatory and misleading |
| Safety | Threats made against a Muslim judge |
| Religious freedom | Risk of chilling effect on faith practice and public service |
Organizers said they will continue outreach and dialogue efforts, seeking to persuade political leaders to adopt language that protects both the integrity of public discourse and the safety of residents. Gipson’s refusal to remove the posts sets up a potential ongoing clash between the gubernatorial contender and faith and civil‑rights groups in Mississippi.
The parties involved did not announce a scheduled meeting after the news conference.
