An Australian woman with alleged ties to the Islamic State, who has been granted permission to return to Australia from Syria, is accused of acting as a sharia law 'enforcer' within a refugee camp, according to a recent report. Hodan Abby, identified as the final known Australian woman among the group of 'ISIS brides' in Syria's al-Roj refugee camp, had a temporary exclusion order barring her return to Australia lifted last month.
A security source cited in an ABC report alleged that Abby functioned as a 'judge' or 'enforcer' of sharia law at the camp. This role reportedly included threatening women to wear the niqab, a full-body Islamic veil, and compelling them to repent for perceived transgressions. "She would try to enforce Islamic dress.... she made people go to their tents (and) make them repent any supposed sins they committed, to say the Shahada (Islamic declaration of faith)," the source stated.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke indicated that Abby might be reconsidering her return to Australia, noting that other women who have returned have faced arrest and charges. Burke explained that there was a specific reason the government had initially sought to ban Abby from re-entering the country, stating that individuals who joined ISIS made a "horrific decision" and that those meeting the threshold for an exclusion order are in a different category.
Abby was prevented from boarding a flight to Australia with a group of women in May, but she subsequently received a return permit. Burke acknowledged that authorities are aware of her activities and are monitoring her location. He added that if Abby does return, she could face detention or charges, either upon arrival or at a later stage as evidence is gathered. "Anybody who has been part of that ideology gets the full attention from our agencies that the public would expect to keep people safe," Burke said.
Abby, who is originally from western Sydney, has also been accused of physically assaulting a Yazidi slave purchased by her husband, who was reportedly nine or 10 years old at the time of the alleged abuse.
In related matters, Burke commented on the potential release of Australian men imprisoned in Iraq for fighting with the Islamic State. He described it as "really tough" to meet the legal threshold to prevent their return. Thirteen Australians are currently jailed in Iraq, and they are being interviewed by foreign officials, raising the possibility of their release. Burke stated that while citizens can eventually return, the current status quo of these individuals remaining imprisoned is acceptable.