Thursday, August 25, 2005

Iraqi Constitution

The new Iraqi Constitution seems periously close to completion, and a Draft Constitution has now been released. However, the issue of what role Islam will play in the new Iraq is still a cause of concern for pro-war conservatives.

So I provide this, Article 2 of the draft constitution. While it does not allay all my fears, it does help to put things into perspective and to put aside any ridiculous notion that Iraq will become a new Islamic theocracy like Iran, or Afghanistan before liberation:

Article (2):
1st - Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation:
(a) No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam.
(b) No law can be passed that contradicts the principles of democracy.
(c) No law can be passed that contradicts the rights and basic freedoms outlined in this constitution.
2nd - This constitution guarantees the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people and the full religious rights for all individuals and the freedom of creed and religious practices.


So firstly, the Islam that is protected is that which is undisputed, i.e., this does not mean the more extreme elements of Islam, and I am assuming must be areas of Islam in which the secular parties in parliament must also agree with. In this sense, you can be pretty sure that you won't be getting Taliban style measures like banning dancing or singing, as the Koran makes no reference of these things (at least those not made in Afghanistan prior 2001)

Secondly, the Article is also quite clear that the "principles of democracy" and "rights and basic freedoms" also cannot be contradicted. Therefore these principles seem to be guarenteed, and thus the fear that Islam will override these principles is most probably mistaken.

1 Comments:

At 6:28 PM, Blogger Chris Hughes said...

Maybe..... but Islam won't be leaving the region any time soon

 

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