Islamic leaders in South Florida are pushing back after Attorney General James Uthmeier claimed that taxpayer vouchers for private Islamic schools violate state law and threaten national security. He argued online that Sharia law is incompatible with American principles, prompting other Republican officials to echo his concerns without offering evidence of wrongdoing.

The criticism followed reports that two Tampa Muslim schools, Hifz Academy and Bayaan Academy, have received voucher funding over the past decade. Local lawmakers say the attorney general is relying on fear instead of facts and note that Florida’s voucher program was designed to support families of all faiths making their own educational choices.

Islamic community leaders say the political focus on Sharia law stems from misunderstanding. They describe it as a moral framework that guides worship, character and family life, not an alternative legal system. Azhar Subedar of the South Florida Muslim Federation said Muslim schools operate within the same academic standards as other private institutions and were built with the belief that religious diversity strengthens Florida. Legal experts also point to years of bipartisan support for religious vouchers, noting that Christian schools receive the largest share of funding. Critics argue the new scrutiny singles out one faith and contradicts the First Amendment protections Florida leaders have long championed.