Over 10,000 Egyptian Islamists rally for Shariah-based constitution November 9, 2012 - 20:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Over 10,000 ultraconservative Muslims demonstrated Friday, November 9 in downtown Cairo to demand that Egypt's new constitution be based on the rulings of Islamic law, or Shariah, in the latest tussle over the role of religion in the country's future, AP reported. The writing of the constitution has been fraught with controversy since last year's political uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak and ushered in the rise of formerly repressed Islamists to power. But Islamists themselves are not in agreement over the interpretation of Shariah and its place in the document. Demonstrators in Tahrir Square demanded that the Muslim Brotherhood, the powerful Islamist group from which the country's new President Mohammed Morsi hails, override liberal and secular objections and include language that could see religious scholars influencing what can become law. "Shariah is our constitution," and "The people demand the application of God's law," they chanted. The controversy surrounding the constitution is centered on the wording of the second amendment. In the former constitution, the wording stated that the "principles of Islamic Shariah" are the basis of legislation. This wording is favored by liberals because they say it meets the broad ideas of Islam. Ultraconservatives are pushing for more, though. They want the wording changed to state that the basis of law will be "the rulings of Shariah," implying Egypt's laws would have to abide by clerical interpretation. Partner news  Top stories Amy Elliott, chief administrative officer of the Oklahoma medical examiner's office, said 51 were confirmed dead. An Islamist insurgency, once confined largely to the republic of Chechnya, has spread across the North Caucasus in recent years. Earlier, at least five Azerbaijan soldiers were killed and six seriously injured when their vehicle rammed into a tree and overturned. Among its provisions are bans on child marriage and the traditional practice of selling and buying women to settle disputes.   Partner news |  Latest news U.S. report says religious freedom still restricted in Turkey  Despite these provisions, the report noted, the government provides favorable and prejudicial treatment to Sunni Islamic groups.European Commission urges EU-wide exchange of income data “I want to see this principle of automatic exchange become the standard at international level as well,” Barroso said.Cooperation between Armenian, Artsakh police discussed President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan met Tuesday, May 21, with Armenian Police chief Vladimir Gasparyan.Expert says Erdoğan’s visit to U.S. unsuccessful Large-scale hostilities are reported in Syria these days, with success on the side of government forces, Sargis Grigoryan said. |
