Egypt Declared ‘Islamic State’ in New Constitution; Christians and Jews Protected?

Critics Point to Ultra-Orthodox Islamists’ Aggressive Push to Implement Sharia Laws
ICC Note:
“The Constituent Assembly committee tasked with drafting Egypt’s new constitution has revealed articles of the document, which declares that ‘Islam is the religion of the state’ informed by Islamic Sharia principles,” the Christian Post reports. However, Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court may dissolve the assembly as early as Tuesday, which would abrogate the changes proposed in the new draft of the document.
By Nicola Menzie
7/13/2012 Egypt (Christian Post) – The Constituent Assembly committee tasked with drafting Egypt’s new constitution has revealed articles of the document, which declares that “Islam is the religion of the state” informed by Islamic Sharia principles. However, those statements seem to contradict an included provision for Christians and Jews to be governed by their own religion, according to observers.
The draft for Article 1 reads, according to Egyptian newspaper Ahram: “The Arab Republic of Egypt is democratic, consultative, constitutional and modernized; based on the separation of powers and the principle of citizenship. Egypt is part of the Arab and Islamic nation, with strong ties to the African Continent.”
Article 2’s draft reads: “Islam is the religion of the state; Arabic is the official religion of the state; and principles of Islamic Sharia are the major source of legislation. Al-Azhar is the major reference on interpreting the principles of Islamic Sharia and that non-Muslims, especially the followers of Christianity and Judaism, should refer to their religions on personal matters, religious affairs, and the selection of their religious leaders.”
The proposal for Article 3 reportedly reads: “Sovereignty is for the people alone and they are the source of authority. The people shall exercise and protect this sovereignty, and safeguard national unity in the manner specified in the Constitution.”
The Egypt Independent reported this week that drafts of the first two articles of the new constitution had been agreed upon by various religious members of the Constituent Assembly. Those involved in crafting the drafts were reportedly careful to appease those concerned with the direction of the country after the removal of former President Hosni Mubarak, and the installation of Mohammad Morsi.
Evangelical leader Safwat al-Bayady was cited by the Egypt Independent as backing the draft articles, as were representatives of the Catholic Church and the Coptic community, the largest Christian group in Egypt.
The only dissension seemed to be among the committee’s ultra-orthodox Salafists, who took issue with Article 2 stating that “the principles of Islamic Sharia are the major source of legislation.” According to Amrah Online, which reported on the assembly meeting on Thursday, Salafist assembly members have been aggressively pushing to implement Islamic Sharia law as more than just a guiding principle in legislative matters.
“They also believe that Sharia law, not its principles, should be the main source of legislation to ensure that the hudood, or the ordinances of God – such (as) stoning non-believes and amputating the hands of thieves – be applied. The imposition of hudood, according to most Islamist conservative forces, is a necessity so that Egypt does not become a secular state and that it is committed to implementing God’s laws,” the publication reports.
…
[Full Story]