House Passes Congressman Keith Self’s Bill to Sanction Iranian Clerics for Sharia-Based Fatwas Against President Trump

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6230, the Tehran Incitement to Violence Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Keith Self (TX-03).

The legislation requires the Administration to evaluate whether specific Iranian regime clerics should be designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) for issuing and promoting Sharia-based fatwas calling for the assassination of President Donald J. Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other U.S. and allied leaders.

Those identified in the bill have charged President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu with Moharebeh (waging war against God), with being a Mahdur al-Dam (one whose blood must be spilled), a Mufsid fil-Arz (a spreader of corruption on earth), and a Kafir Harbi (a waring infidel), all of which under Islamic Law (Sharia) invite violence against the offender. Religious decrees issued under the Islamic Penal Code of Iran status of Moharebeh explicitly call for the death penalty.

"Today's House passage sends a clear message: America will not tolerate radical Islamic clerics issuing Sharia-based fatwas calling for the murder and crucifixion of our President," said Congressman Self. "Sharia has no place in America. By holding these clerics accountable as global terrorists, we are defending our values and protecting our leaders from incitement to violence."

H.R. 6230 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Background:

• The Moharebeh status is codified in Iran on the basis of Islamic Sharia law, which calls not only for death but also for brutal methods of torture, including crucifixion or cross-amputation of the hands and feet. Such brutal forms of execution are explicitly stated in Quran 5:33 (transliterated by Abdel Haleem)-"Those who wage war against God and His Messenger and strive to spread corruption in the land should be punished by death, crucifixion, the amputation of an alternate hand and foot, or banishment from the land: a disgrace for them in this world, and then a terrible punishment in the Hereafter."
• Historically, Iranian Moharebeh fatwas have led to consequences within the country and around the world. In 2022, author Salman Rushdie was stabbed multiple times in the face, neck, arm, abdomen, and eye in response to Iran's former Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's fatwa calling for Rushdie's assassination in 1989.

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