On July 6, 2026, the We the People Club welcomed author Paul Sutliff for a presentation examining the ideology and practice of Sharia law. Drawing from his research and his book, The Cancer of Civilization Jihad, Sutliff shared his perspective on the historical origins, religious foundations, and practical application of Sharia within Islamic jurisprudence.
During the presentation, Sutliff explained that Sharia is more than a legal code. He described it as a comprehensive framework derived from the Quran, the Hadith (the recorded sayings and actions of Muhammad), and centuries of Islamic legal scholarship. According to his presentation, Sharia addresses matters ranging from personal conduct and family relationships to business transactions and criminal justice.
Sutliff also discussed the distinction between personal religious observance and political interpretations of Sharia. He outlined how different Islamic schools of thought and countries apply Sharia in varying ways, with some using it primarily as guidance for personal faith while others incorporate aspects of it into their legal systems.
A significant portion of the evening focused on what Sutliff describes as “civilization jihad,” a concept explored in his book. He presented his interpretation of how ideological movements seek to influence political and cultural institutions, encouraging attendees to study historical documents, legal systems, and primary source materials when evaluating these claims.
The presentation concluded with an active question-and-answer session, where audience members discussed constitutional principles, religious liberty, national sovereignty, and the importance of understanding differing legal and philosophical systems in an increasingly interconnected world.
Regardless of one’s viewpoint, the evening reinforced the value of informed civic engagement. Topics involving religion, law, and public policy are often complex and can generate strong opinions. Educational forums that encourage respectful discussion and critical thinking provide an opportunity for citizens to examine evidence, ask questions, and better understand issues that may influence public policy.
The We the People Club continues its mission of providing a forum where speakers with diverse expertise can share their research and encourage thoughtful dialogue on issues affecting our communities, our nation, and the preservation of constitutional government.
Watch the meeting video HERE. LIKE, SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE.
Thank you to Paul Sutliff for coming down from the upstate New York to speak to We the People. We greatly appreciate his time and his wealth of knowledge on this topic. We encourage you to share this blog on your social media, as sharing knowledge and information is critical to keeping the United States a free country.
The next We the People Club meeting is on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 6 PM. The speaker will be announced soon.
