Posted on 07/29/2005 3:53:04 AM PDT by Wiz
Iraqi women are split over how great a role Islam should play in the new constitution, currently being drafted in parliament, with some fearing "a return to the dark ages".
An early draft of the constitution published in the local Al-Sabah newspaper on Tuesday made clear that Islam is to be "the official religion of the State" and "the main source of legislation."
The text is supported by the conservative Shiite majority in Iraq's parliament.
"No law that contradicts the universally agreed tenets of Islam may be enacted," reads the draft, still under discussion by a parliamentary committee and subject to revision.
Parliamentary speaker Hajim Al-Hasani made clear he did not believe this meant the rule of Sharia, or Islamic law.
"I think there's an agreement (in parliament) that we should not include Sharia in the constitution," he said.
There are different interpretations of Sharia law, Hasani said, so "why open that door?"
But for women's rights activist Yannar Mohammed any reference to Islam in the constitution "will take us back to the Dark Ages."
Mohammed fears that any such language could allow public floggings and stoning of adulterers, and granting clerics the last word in matters of marriage, divorce and inheritance.
"The liberation of Iraq has unleashed the darkest forces in the country," said Mohammed. "We will be losing the basic protections as women and public citizens" if this language is adopted.
(Excerpt) Read more at middle-east-online.com ...
ping
Wow. A women's rights activist we can agree with. But will the Sisterhood in America lend her their support?
I hope Islam isn't in their Constitution - then it's been a waste of time and life.
"Wow. A women's rights activist we can agree with. But will the Sisterhood in America lend her their support?"
No. Seen Hill over there yet?
It's in Afghanistan's, Pakistan's.......
No, I glanced at the article ... it's talking about Iraq!
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