Rabat - Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has reportedly released a proposal last week, calling to create Islamic interest-free mortgage loans so that Muslims can buy houses in the Seattle area.
Rabat – Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has reportedly released a proposal last week, calling to create Islamic interest-free mortgage loans so that Muslims can buy houses in the Seattle area.
The proposal aims at helping locals from Muslim backgrounds that follow Sharia law to buy a house. Under Islamic law, collecting or paying interest is prohibited, so traditional mortgages are out of reach for people who adhere strictly to Sharia law.
According to the proposal, Mayor Murray’s housing committee has recommended the city to convene lenders, housing nonprofits and community leaders “to explore the best options for increasing access to Sharia-compliant loan products.
“We will work to develop new tools for Muslims who are prevented from using conventional mortgage products due to their religious beliefs,” Murray said during a press conference, according to the Washington Times.
This announcement sparked a wave of outrage on social media since it is feared this could lead to the spread of Islamic Sharia law in America.
Seattle Mayor Planning to Force Banks to Give Sharia Compliant Homes Loans to Local Muslims http://t.co/QSKZ1XqzMB
— Warner Todd Huston (@warnerthuston) July 17, 2015
Mayor, no Sharia law applies in America!! Stop this unconstitutional junk. http://t.co/fx7VENmVQx
— Bunch (@bunch1243) July 17, 2015
Critics have warned that it opens the nation’s financial system to Islamic radicals and terrorist groups, providing a mechanism for money laundering.