Though some members were chosen to represent different religious institutions, to guarantee that in the final analysis there would be no discrimination based on difference of religion; the fact is that premise is abrogated time and again. The Salafists are imposing their will and using coercive influence on other members of the committee to assure that the final document will reflect the dominion of Al-Shari’a, not only as the main source but rather the final source arbitrating all aspects of the law of the land.
I can’t see how anyone studying this document and following the deliberations can come to any other conclusion than that this constitution is as Islamist as they come. If Egypt is labeled as an Islamic State, it follows that all Egyptians are bound by the edicts of Islam, regardless of their religious affiliation, then no matter what follows all the other articles are mute. There is no ambiguity in Shari’a. Any non-Muslim in any Islamic nation is not a rightful citizen and without all the rights pertaining to citizenship. Unless we are able to separate Mosque from State then the laws of the land will have to be approved by Shari’a. The so-called guarantees provided to non-Muslims in the constitution being drafted are lame and denigratory.
The principles of a constitution in a free, democratic nation, presumes equality of all its people. Unless this principle is respected and used in a non-discriminatorily fashion then, to all intents and purposes, the new constitution is a stillbirth incapable of guarding the rights of all the citizens of the land. Recently, Mr. Amr Moussa said that the constitution can be altered in the future or something to that effect. All constitutions are subject to amendments but when framing a new document it must reflect the will of all the citizens, and not proceed in a piece-meal fashion.
I prefer straight talk. I am a Copt in the Diaspora. I speak for myself and what I write are my own views and do not necessarily represent other Copts. With this disclaimer, I feel free to voice my opinion with no fear of harming anyone through association. Enough is enough. The Islamist experiment, where ‘Islam is the solution’ was the motto and the guide, was an abysmal failure. Religion always gets in the way of sound politics. There are international human rights to which Egypt is a signatory. These rights are self-evident without reference to any religion’s morals. There has always been bloodshed when difference in religion or difference in denominations of the one religion is an issue. Christian against Jew, Muslim against Christian and vice versa, Catholic against Protestants, Shi’a against Sunni, Hindus against Sikh and Muslims and the many factions of Protestantism against each other and the whole lot. Can’t we pause for a moment and reconsider what we are hurtling into. If this constitution is written without the influence of religion then Egypt has a chance of rehabilitation.
The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) were declared Islamists and acted accordingly. The ‘Committee of Fifty’ is supposedly secular, or should be. Let that be reflected in the new constitution or bear the consequences of a divided populous. The Copts, unaided from foreign powers, will stand for their rights no matter what it takes. This is not a threat but a word to the wise to avoid leading the nation to an abyss, which would drop us into utter darkness. The Copts have been treading gingerly and with utmost trepidation, begging for their God-given rights in their own land. They have been snubbed, scurrilously abused, defamed, trodden on and the list goes on and on.
On October 23, 2013 Mr. Mohamad Nour, a renowned journalist, wrote in ‘Ra’y w’ Ro’ia’ (An Opinion and a Vision) an article titled “Till when will the patience of the Copts hold?” He reviewed the sad plight of the Copts in a serious and balanced fashion. My answer to him was an Arabic proverb, which roughly translates to “I will be patient till Patience gets impatient with me.”
We wish no one evil. We will turn the other cheek but once. We will rise like a phoenix from the ashes to claim our rights and continue to fulfill our obligations gladly to rebuild Egypt so that it would attain its rightful place among the civilized nations. The potential is there. However, the will to tackle our problems depends on the character of the people. Absent this, there is no rising from the mire we are in. Once more I abjure the leaders to take their time in writing the constitution, to jettison the corrupt influence from amongst them, and go back to the serious business of framing a constitution all Egyptians would be proud of and the world would wonder at. God bless Egypt.