Washington, D.C. — Republican Representative Keith Self
sparked a major national controversy after making a series of statements in
which he asserted that Islam should not be understood solely as a religion, but
as a political, legal, and civilizational system that, according to him,
directly conflicts with Western democratic systems.
During his remarks, Self maintained that Sharia, the set of
legal and moral norms derived from Islam, “is not just a religious belief, but
a law, a culture, and a complete civilization” that, in his view, supersedes
any national legislation wherever it is imposed.
“Sharia is a supreme law. It is not a religion in the
Western sense of the term: it is a legal and governmental system,” he stated.
The congressman argued that, under a strict interpretation
of Sharia law, he himself would be considered an “infidel” and, according to
him, would be subject to extreme punishments if he did not submit to that
system. He also stated that even so-called “moderate Muslims” would be
considered apostates by radical sectors of Islam and would face the same kind
of sanctions in that scenario.
Self presented a hypothetical scenario in which, if
extremist groups were to seize power, both non-Muslims and moderate Muslims
would have only two options: submit to Sharia law or face severe punishments,
including—in his words—death.
From his perspective, this future risk is a strategic and
cultural problem that the West is not addressing with sufficient clarity.
The most controversial point of his speech came when Self
stated that, in his view, “the only solution” to avoid such a scenario would be
to implement mass and rapid deportations, a position that has provoked a wave
of reactions both inside and outside Congress.
Self's statements come amid growing tensions over
immigration, cultural integration, and national security in the United States.
While some sectors applaud his speech as a “straightforward” warning, others
see it as a dangerous generalization.