“Such developments seem to confirm the widespread Western perception of the
implementation of sharia as a heavy-handed imposition of an Islamic lifestyle.
This is undeniably part of the reality, but there is more to the establishment
of Islamic jurisdictions in the rebel-held regions of Syria than a drive to
impose public morality. Indeed, this is a marginal concern compared with more
urgent issues such as the need to rebuild state institutions and to restore a
minimal level of law and order.”