The NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, made it clear where he stood on Islamic law as practised in Australia. ”When it comes to sharia ”¦ I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. There is no place in Australia for sharia law, full stop,” he said.
But the reality for Muslims might not be so clear cut. From the religious requirements for divorce to issues around seeking a loan, the detailed religious regulatory system of all aspects of life is practised by many in the diverse Islamic community.
Andrew Scipione was interviewed at a recent Katoomba Mens Convention. My husband remembers him saying “I’m not a police commissioner who happens to be a Christian. I’m a Christian who happens to be a police commissioner”.