Screenshot from the Herald Sun report
---
Islamic religious law, or sharia, is often vilified but is really about freedom and tolerance, Australia's new grand mufti said, according to the Herald Sun.
Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, elected in weekend voting by imams and sheiks, also said sharia corresponded with Australian laws.
"The sharia law also calls for freedom, justice, right of speech and this is something we are very fortunate to have," Dr Mohamed told journalists in Sydney yesterday, speaking through an interpreter.
"These are all matters that we already implement here as Australians, and we're proud to have it as Australian values.
The Egypt-born scholar and author said controversial penalties under sharia law often attracted attention but they were a small part of the code.
As the new spiritual leader of the nation's Islamic communities, he said he would focus on "correcting" Australian Muslims drawn to extremism.
FULL STORY
You have nothing to fear, says Aussie mufti (Herald Sun)
PHOTO CREDIT
Screenshot from the Herald Sun report