THE AUSTRALIAN: THE nation's peak Muslim group is using the Gillard government's re-embracing of multiculturalism to push for the introduction of sharia in Australia, but it says it would be a more moderate variety of Islamic law that fits with Australian values.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, in a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into the government's new multiculturalism policy, argues that Muslims should enjoy "legal pluralism".
In an interview with The Australian, the organisation's president, Ikebal Adam Patel, who wrote the submission, nominated family law and specifically divorce as an area where moderate interpretations of sharia could co-exist within the Australian legal system.
In the submission, the AFIC acknowledges some Muslims believe Islamic law is immutable, regardless of history, time, culture and location.
"They claim that Muslims may change, but Islam will not," it says.
The AFIC argues this is not the case and sharia can be applied in a way that fits in to Australia and is not extreme.
"This means most of the regulations in Islamic law may be amended, changed, altered, and adapted to social change.
"Therefore, Muslims Australia-AFIC takes the position that Islamic law is changeable according to the requirements of different places and times, and therefore suits the values shared by Australian people," the submission says.
A hardline reading of sharia confers unilateral divorce rights on men, while women who initiate divorce are stripped of their property and financial entitlements.
A more moderate interpretation and common practice in Islamic countries is to recognise divorce by mutual consent.
In the interview, Mr Patel said: "I'm saying that instead of letting the extremists within Islam take over the agenda, we are saying there is a path whereby it will work for all the communities in a moderate way. » | Patricia Karvelas | The Australian | Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Beware Australia! Beware Australians! Introducing any aspects of sharia law will be the tip of the iceberg. Further, do not be lulled into believing that there is a moderate form of sharia law. Sharia law is what it is: harsh and unforgiving and brutal in its treatment of transgressors. If you want Australia to remain free and whole, keep sharia law well and truly OUT of your wonderful country! Do NOT make the mistakes that we in Europe have made. Be WISE! Learn from our mistakes. Make Muslims abide by your liberal, democratic laws. In any case, no sensible lawmaker would consider allowing different, parallel laws for different groups of people. Any country will eventually become ungovernable like that, and it will fragment, too. – © Mark
