Posted on 07/27/2005 1:03:11 PM PDT by churchillbuff
Framers of Iraq's constitution will designate Islam as the main source of legislation — a departure from the model set down by U.S. authorities during the occupation — according to a draft published Tuesday.
The draft states no law will be approved that contradicts "the rules of Islam" — a requirement that could affect women's rights and set Iraq on a course far different from the one envisioned when U.S.-led forces invaded in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein.
"Islam is the official religion of the state and is the main source of legislation," reads the draft published in the government newspaper Al-Sabah. "No law that contradicts with its rules can be promulgated."
The document also grants the Shiite religious leadership in Najaf a "guiding role" in recognition of its "high national and religious symbolism."
Al-Sabah noted, however, that there were unspecified differences among the committee on the Najaf portion. Those would presumably include Kurds, Sunni Arabs and secular Shiites on the 71-member committee.
During the U.S.-run occupation, which ended June 28, 2004, key Shiite and some Sunni politicians sought to have Islam designated the main source of legislation in the interim constitution, which took effect in March 2004.
However, the U.S. governor of Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, blocked the move, agreeing only that Islam would be considered "a source" — but not the only one. At the time, prominent Shiite politicians agreed to forego a public battle with Bremer and pursue the issue during the drafting of the permanent constitution.
Some women's groups fear strict interpretation of Islamic principles could erode their rights in such areas as divorce and inheritance. It could also move Iraq toward a more religiously based society than was envisioned by U.S. planners who hoped it would be a beacon of Western-style democracy in a region of one-party rule and theocratic regimes.
Members of the constitutional committee said the draft was among several and none would be final until parliament approves the charter by Aug. 15.
The drafting committee met Tuesday to discuss federalism, one of the most contentious issues, according to Sunni Arab member Mohammed Abed-Rabbou. He described the discussion as "heated" and said no agreement was reached.
Parliament speaker Hajim al-Hassani, a Sunni Arab, urged Iraqi media to refrain from publishing supposed texts unless they are released by the constitutional committee.
Sunni Arabs involved in writing the charter have complained that Shiites and Kurds are trying to steamroll their version of the draft without proper consultation and discussion.
The Sunnis agreed only Monday to resume work on the committee after they walked out to protest the assassination of two colleagues this month.
"It's very important that the constitution is produced through the participation of all Iraqis," U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters Tuesday. "This is important for ending and defeating the insurgency, for having a political compact and I want to say to the Arab Sunni community that they can count on us for such a compact."
Sunni Arab support is crucial because the charter can be scuttled if voters in three of Iraq's 18 provinces reject it by a two-thirds majority — and Sunni Arabs are a majority in four provinces. Sunni Arabs make up about 20 percent of Iraq's 27 million people but dominate areas where the insurgency is raging.
U.S. officials are eager for the Iraqis to meet the Aug. 15 deadline as a major step in building a stable constitutional government, considered key to pacifying the Sunni insurgency and enabling the U.S. and its partners to begin drawing down troop strength.
If the deadline is met, voters will decide whether to approve the charter in mid-October and if they do, another general election will take place in December.
In an Internet statement Tuesday, al-Qaida's wing in Iraq warned Iraqis not to take part in the constitutional referendum, saying democracy goes against God's law and anyone who participates would be considered an "infidel," and earmarked for death.
According to Al-Sabah, the draft constitution would declare Iraq a sovereign state with "a republican democratic federal system." However, the word "federal" appears in brackets, indicating opposition among the committee.
Sunni Arabs are suspicious that federalism, a prime goal of the Kurds, would lead to the disintegration of Iraq.
In other developments:
_Gunmen fired on two buses carrying workers home from a government-owned company on the western edge of Baghdad, killing 16 and wounding 27, police and a company official said.
_Two gunmen in a speeding car assassinated a top aide to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, police said in Baqouba, a city northeast of Baghdad.
And if they chose politicians who say they want to make war on Israel or the US, that's ok? Sorry, but I don't see why it was worth 2000 US military lives to give Iraqis the right to establish an Islamic government. That may be nice for them in some sense, but it's not the kind of vital US interest that the military - and military - lives are supposed to be used for.
Very true. Another reason why I didn't support this invasion.
Something well worth repeating. It was never our aim to impose our own Constitution or religious beliefs (which in America includes Islam) on them, only to give them the ability to freely determine their own government.
Nostalgic for the rape rooms, are we?
I disagree. With muslims, government must be forced upon them, wether secular OR theocratic. This is due to the teachings of Islam, not the workings of a polical movement. If Iraq turns into a theocracy, it was not due to Iran or for lack of trying to the contrary by the US...it would be due to the abhorent and utter stupidity and ignorance of those to be governed. The reason why the middle east has been mired in a 1400 year old dark age is due to Islam. Destroying Islam is the only way to end the madness over there.
There's plenty of institutionalized rape in Islamic fundamentalist countries. Or do you deny that?
We aren't extablishing an Islamic government in Iraq. In Iran you have an Islamic government controlled by religious leaders, in Iraq you will have a government that the people get to decide. Just wait until the next election, I will bet you anything that the Sunnis vote and a Sunni, Kurdish, Allawi government forms that is pro-secular.
You seem to be forgetting that Afghanistan has Islam far more enshrined into its laws then Iraq does even if this draft goes through, which it very well may not. There are many drafts going around right now.
So you really are nostalgic for the rape rooms. I kinda thought so. Now, those entire families in mass graves - you'd rather have that than a chance at a new system?
Islam itself institutionalizes rape.
You didn't pass reading comprehension, did you. I said that if Iraq becomes a fundamentalist Islamic country, there will be more institutionalized rape. Just as before. I'm not "nostalgic" for such barbarism -- I'm regretful that we have lost 2000 of our finest so that Iraq could become an Islamic fundamentalist country. Saddam was a butcher - just like the Chinese rulers are, just like Castro is. I don't hear you calling for US to invade those countries - - but not calling for invasion doesn't make you a supporter of their brutality. I don't call you a supporter of Castro's cruelty - so don't call me a supporter or "nostalgic" for Saddam's cruelty. In other words, don't be a jerk.
"..even if this draft goes through, which it very well may not. There are many drafts going around right now."
Exactly, this is only ONE version, do we know what are in the MANY other drafts? Who in Iraq wrote this, could it be someone who picked the one draft of many that would send a negative message? Why not wait until all the horses are in the barn before reacting. I would think this story is something the NYSlimes would love to print.
President Bush liberated them from a brutal dictatorship and gave them their country back. We won the war, it's up to them to decide what to do with it. Don't let the MSM try to spin this as a defeat for Bush.
Yup.
Shall we just pull out now or re-invade while we're there?
HEY WHERE ARE ALL THE FREEPERS WHO CLAIMED THIS WASN'T REAL JUST 3 DAYS AGO?
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