Too many Americans understand Islam and Shariah only "from the point of view of the Taliban," says University of Richmond law professor Azizah al-Hibri.

"Many people, including Muslims, have no idea what Shariah is. It just appears to be something to be worried about," she said.

Such fears have given rise to a wave of anti-Shariah sentiment across the country, including efforts in some states to forbid consideration of the Islamic laws in U.S. courtrooms.

The implications those efforts would have on people of all faiths will be the focus of a town-hall discussion Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Moot Court Room at the UR School of Law.

Al-Hibri will be joined by Tommy P. Baer, former president of B'nai B'rith International, and Randolph Bell, president of the First Freedom Center, for "Islam, Shari'ah and Religious Freedom in the U.S."

"It's an important constitutional issue," said al-Hibri, founder and chairwoman of Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights. In June, she was appointed to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Al-Hibri said the outcome of this national debate "will affect the status of other religions because you cannot differentiate among religions."

Karamah and First Freedom are sponsoring the UR event in an effort to open a dialogue about what Shariah is and how it is practiced in the U.S.

The town hall is one of six planned on the topic, said Eugene Hummel, assistant director of programs for Karamah. Sessions have been held in Tennessee and Long Island, N.Y. One is planned for tonight in New York City, and two others will be held in Washington.

"What Karamah sees as the root of this anti-Islamic sentiment is a misunderstanding," Hummel said. The events are an outreach effort to encourage people "to come out and ask their questions" and find a way forward.