John R QuinnJohn R Quinn
  • Home
  • Home
  • Services
    • Binding Financial Agreements
    • Divorce & Separation
    • Property & Financial Arrangements
    • Wills & Succession Act
    • Children & Parenting
    • Overseas & Expatriates
  • Our Lawyers
  • FAQ
  • News
  • Contact Us
(+61 2) 9283 3344

Law of the Land? Is Sharia Law operating in our suburbs?

All Australians are free to choose their beliefs and customs; we’re all entitled to the same freedoms and we are bound by one set of rules … the law.

Whether you are Catholic, Anglican, Jewish, Hindu or Muslim – though Islam has its own legal system.

Few Sydneysiders realise it, but in meeting rooms around our suburbs, a form of “legal pluralism” is operating. It involves mediations where Sharia Law is used to settle disputes on matters covered by Australian law.

Which brings me to an experience with the Grand Mufti of Australia.

Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed and I had been talking for nearly an hour with the cameras rolling – well, I was mostly talking with his interpreter. It was February last year.

After filming the Mufti working at his desk I noticed in the adjoining conference room several men setting up some kind of meeting.

“What’s happening next door?” I asked. “Oh, that’s the Sharia Tribunal we run every Wednesday.”

Today people still flock to these sessions at the Mufti’s office.

No one is sure how many Sharia Mediations there are in Australia – they are not legally binding here, but many attendees refer to them this way. One senior NSW lawyer, Jamila Hussain, was reported in December saying, “We are not using sharia tribunals, but we rely on trained Muslim mediators who are legally qualified people we can go to and who advise what to do under Australian law and to get an Islamic divorce.”

By Brian Seymour

Read More: Yahoo News

Back to News


Contact Us

John R Quinn & Co. Family Lawyers
Level 12, 60 Park Street
Sydney NSW 2000

The closest train stations are Town Hall, taking the Park Street exit, or St James Station, taking the Elizabeth Street exit. John R Quinn & Co. is on the corner of Park and Elizabeth.

Best parking is in the Domain parking station. Take the moving footway and cross Hyde Park to reach our offices.

Phone
(+61 2) 9283 3344
Email
mail@quinnlawyers.com.au
Fax
9283 3366

In The Press

Quebec introduces family law reform, would regulate surrogate motherhood

October 13, 2016quinn lawyers

6 new Judges appointed to newly merged FCFCOA

October 13, 2016quinn lawyers

Merged court system should benefit vulnerable families

October 13, 2016quinn lawyers

FAMILY LAW: Changes to family law in Australia

October 13, 2016quinn lawyers
More

John R Quinn News

John R Quinn & Co welcome Emma Mrakovcic

October 13, 2016quinn lawyers

John Quinn is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers

October 13, 2016quinn lawyers

Kevin O'Kane brings Succession Act experience

October 13, 2016quinn lawyers

Landmark cases continue to have impact

October 13, 2016quinn lawyers
More

FAQ

Cost disclosure

What to expect from my first appointment with a lawyer from John R. Quinn and Co.

Why should I use John R. Quinn & Co?

Why use an accredited specialist lawyer when seeking a divorce?

More
John R Quinn & Co. Family Lawyers Logo black
Accredited Specialists in Family Law
© 2020. All rights reserved. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.