N.C. judges to decide on the Quran's place in court

Some are not sure of the Muslim Holy Book's place in America's courts.

Charlotte's judges will have to weigh in on whether Muslim witnesses can be sworn into their courts using the Quran instead of the bible. The question is part of a state wide judge's conference under way right now in Ashville and Wrightsville beach. 6NEWS has learned that not all Muslims think the Quran has a place on the witness stand.

"When you say there is a difference between church and state and then you go into the courtroom and put your hand on a bible... what is that?" said Jibril Hough with Charlotte’s Islamic Center.

Some say beyond the issue of separation of church and state... using the bible for swearing in is evidence of an exclusive society that does not take Muslims into account.

"I think many people fear the growth of Islam," Hough said.

So, should Muslims have the option of swearing to tell the truth on their holy book, the Quran? It presents an interesting challenge. For one, the Quran must be approached in a special way. Muslims must go through a cleansing ritual before they even touch the Quran.

“Someone may be going to court for something that could lead them to jail. So when you are escorted to jail, who takes care of the Quran?" said Hough.

The United States is not the first country to grapple with this issue. In Australia and England witnesses are sworn in according to their own religion.

North Carolina law says that instead of putting your hand on the bible and swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God you can simply affirm your commitment to the truth.

"I affirm to tell the truth with God as my witness. That should be serious enough for any Muslim," Hough said.

The issue of how Muslims should be sworn into a court of law is only the latest of several concerning the Quran. All of it, Hough believes, is an opportunity to learn a little bit more about each other.

In Greensboro this week, the local Islamic Center offered to donate copies of the Quran to the Guilford County Courthouse. Judges rejected the offer.