Tarrant County Republicans to Vote on Muslim Vice Chair's Ouster

Tarrant County Republicans are set to decide Thursday if they should remove a Muslim vice party chairman following allegations that he prefers Islamic Shariah law over U.S. law and opposes the GOP's pro-Israel stance.

Dr. Shahid Shafi, a surgeon and twice-elected member of the Southlake City Council, is the vice chair of North Tarrant County for the Tarrant County Republican Party and has denied that he favors Shariah law, saying he supports the American court system.

"It is through inclusion, and not exclusion, that we will be able to build strong communities, where neighbors trust and protect each other, and our enemies cannot find refuge," Shafi wrote in a lengthy Facebook post.

James Trimm, a precinct chair from North Richland Hills, questioned whether, as a Muslim, Shafi is loyal to Israel and the laws of the United States.

"My understanding is he is a devout Muslim and as a devout Muslim, he must believe in Sharia law," Trimm said, adding he opposes Shafi's political beliefs and not his religion.

But others believe Shafi is being targeted because he is Muslim.

"It's an embarrassment to the extent that we would even have people who would make religion a litmus test," Tarrant County District Clerk Tom Wilder said. "That's not what the party is."

Wilder and other elected Republicans, including Sheriff Bill Waybourn and County Judge Glen Whitley, signed an open letter supporting Shafi.

Wilder called Shafi's opponents a "small little band."

"Nobody ever paid them much attention until they managed to force it to a vote," he said.

Trimm said he's confident his side will prevail.

"We think we have the votes," he said.

NBC 5's Scott Gordon contributed to this report.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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