A candidate forum at the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) on February 9 turned tense when congressional hopeful Abteen Vaziri directly criticized Sharia law, drawing audible reactions from the audience and culminating in one attendee being physically restrained.

Attendees filled rows of folding chairs as Mustafa Syed moderated the forum, which was covered by The Dallas Express. “When you’re here to speak to us today and solicit our votes, we’re not just here to vote and call it a day,” Syed began. “We expect you to respond to our wishes, to what we voted for you for, and to not just check a box.”

Vaziri, an Iranian-born American running for Congress in Texas’ 32nd District, was among the candidates participating in the event.

The panel included various political candidates from both parties.

Among the Republicans were Vaziri, Rick Grady, who is running for Collin County Judge, and Mark Newgent, a candidate for Congress in District 3. The Democrats featured were Andrew Hunt, also running for Congress in District 3; Jason Pearce and Andrew Rubell, candidates for Congress in District 4; Anthony Bridges for Congress in District 32; Zeeshan Hafeez and Orlando Lopez for Congress in District 33; Jordan Wheatley for State House District 67; and State Representative Mihaela Plesa, who is seeking re-election for State House District 70.

“I’m Not Down with Sharia Law”: Vaziri’s Challenge Ignites Audience Uproar

“As someone whose entire family is Muslim, I’m not down with Sharia law,” Vaziri said. “Sharia law says that women on that side of the room are worth half as much as men. Do you all agree with that?”

As Vaziri spoke, a man in the front row stood and moved toward the front before being physically restrained by others, as seen in video from the event.

 

“I asked the women in the audience how they justify Sharia laws and in all matters considering women worth half as much as men,” Vaziri told The Dallas Express. “They said that was false, I said it is actually 100% true, and I have receipts.”

“The Real Genocide is Happening in Iran”: Vaziri Spotlights Iran’s Atrocities

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 Syed asked the candidates for their stances on Israel. 

“The biggest terrorist in the Middle East is Netanyahu,” Bridges said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

“They have and still are committing genocide against Palestinian people,” Pearce said. “And for anybody who disagrees, I have hundreds of videos saved on my phone and computer.”

Vaziri, however, pointed to Israel’s support for pro-freedom activists in Iran. According to BBC News Persian, experts have described Iran’s crackdown as the largest mass killing in contemporary Iranian history.

Israel has publicly stated that it supports the Iranian people’s “struggle for freedom,” while distinguishing between Iranian civilians and the ruling regime.

Vaziri rejected that framing and instead pointed to Iran, where he said Muslims are being killed in large numbers by the Islamic Republic.

“In Farsi, we have a saying: ‘In hell, there are snakes so vicious they make you run for cover to a cobra,’” Vaziri said.

“The Iranian people, the only help they’re getting is from Israel. Can you believe not a single Muslim country – not a single Muslim country in the Middle East – has helped my Iranian compatriots, my family. They’re getting killed, and Israel is the only help they’re getting,” Vaziri added.

Audible shouting followed.

“Did you pray for your brothers and sisters?” Vaziri asked. “The real genocide is happening in Iran right now.”

The outburst continued, and attendees started booing. One man walked up, took the microphone from Vaziri, and handed it to the next candidate.

“I was invited by EPIC. I was polite. But I asked some tough questions. I asked if you are a place of worship and you represent Muslims, why have you not prayed for 100,000 Iranian Muslims that were slaughtered by their own Islamic Republic government?” Vaziri said to The Dallas Express.

“I got booed!” Vaziri continued. “This basically proves that EPIC is not a place of worship but rather a military outpost for Hamas and the I[slamic] R[evolutionary] G[uard] C[orps].”

Reports suggest the Iranian regime has killed anywhere from 6,400, to 30,000, to 90,000 pro-freedom protesters.

“I Count It as Sort of My Third Home”: Grady Extols EPIC

Hafeez greeted the crowd – “As-salamu alaykum!”

Hafeez noted that he was “inspired” because EPIC was full that night, despite being in the District of Self, the congressman who helped launch the “Sharia-Free America Caucus” on February 5. “EPIC is mobilized. EPIC is getting excited…. EPIC is saying, we’re going to do something about what’s happening in this country.”

Hafeez labeled the Israel-Hamas war a “genocide,” then called for an end to “all aid to Israel.”

Meanwhile, Grady and Newgent supported EPIC.

“I know many of you, because I’ve been out here so many times. It is always the most warming and friendly place for me to be,” Grady said. “I count it as sort of my third home.”

 

Newgent urged Democrats to vote for him in the Republican primary.

“Democrats can vote in the Republican primary. So when you go to vote for a Democrat/Republican, grab the Republican piece of paper and write ‘Mark Newgent,’” Newgent said. “You’re not registered as a Republican; it’s an open primary. So if you’re a Democrat, you go to vote, pick up the Republican paper – that’s it, and vote Keith Self out.”