(AP) -- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Some Republican legislators say they want to send a message that foreign laws carry no weight in South Carolina courts.
Their measures introduced this week in the House and Senate don't reference a specific country or religion. But Islamic experts say similar bills around the country amount to anti-Muslim political pandering, and could affect religious traditions such as weddings and burials.
Sen. Mike Fair and Rep. Wendy Nanney of Greenville insist their proposals are broad and could affect international child custody cases. Co-sponsor Sen. Chip Campsen of Isle of Palms says Islamic law is a worry.
Spokesman Ibrahim Hooper with the Council on American-Islamic Relations says he considers such a measure more a statement about anti-Muslim sentiments than about serious legal issues.
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