Congressman Keith Self Introduces the FAITH Act to Prevent Sharia Tax on Non-Muslims

Congressman Keith Self (TX-03) introduced the Freedom Against Imposed Theology Harms (FAITH) Act. Considering the infiltration of Sharia in America, this legislation reaffirms a core American principle: no individual should face financial coercion because of their religious beliefs or refusal to participate in someone else’s.

In communities across the United States, Sharia-adherent groups are attempting to impose parallel systems of control. The FAITH Act draws a clear line: No religious tax, no financial penalties, and no coercion for refusing to submit to someone else’s beliefs.

The legislation establishes a nationwide standard that prohibits any person, organization, or entity — governmental or nongovernmental — from imposing fees, fines, penalties, or any form of financial coercion based on an individual’s religious beliefs or their refusal to participate in another faith’s practices. Violations would be treated as predicate offenses under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, giving prosecutors powerful tools to dismantle organized efforts to enforce Sharia-compliant financial demands.

The bill explicitly safeguards legitimate religious liberty by preserving the right of religious and/or educational institutions to seek voluntary contributions from their own members for internal purposes.

“Sharia law, which includes mechanisms like the jizya tax on non-Muslims, is fundamentally incompatible with the American principle of religious equality and voluntary faith,” said Congressman Self. “While formal jizya is not imposed by U.S. law, we are seeing growing attempts to establish Sharia-adherent enclaves, parallel financial systems, and community coercion in parts of America — including right here in Texas. The FAITH Act draws a firm constitutional line: No American should ever pay a de facto religious tax or face financial penalties for their beliefs. We must make America Sharia-free and protect the First Amendment for everyone.”

Background:

•    Under Sharia, Jizya is a mandatory poll tax imposed on non-Muslim subjects in exchange for “protection” while living as second-class subjects under Islamic rule.
o    It is an undisputed fundamental value of fundamentalist Islam that non-believers, or dhimmis, have three choices in how to respond: convert to Islam, pay a Jizya tax or die [Qur’an 9:29].
o    In the Sahel region of Sub-Saharan Africa, as recently as 2024 and continuing into 2026, armed jihadist groups have imposed just such a levy on Christians, demanding 25,000 CFA francs (~$40) per month, effectively forcing payment for the freedom to practice their religion. Those unable to pay faced threats and assaults on their lives, homes and churches. 
•    Growing evidence shows efforts to establish Sharia-adherent enclaves and informal financial pressures in American communities, undermining religious equality and individual liberty.
•    Congressman Self is a co-founder and co-chair of the Sharia-Free America Caucus, now comprising over 60 members of Congress from more than 25 states.
•    This legislation sends an unmistakable message: Sharia has no place in the United States of America. Religious freedom means freedom from religious tyranny — including any attempt to impose Islamic law through financial coercion.

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