Thread: Misr

Originally Posted by grace

What is going on in that country?

• 5-way political scene.
• provincial issues.
• economy and tourism.
• energy and transportation.
• security.
• religious fanaticism.
• inclusive, moderate islam & christianity.

Misr, Egypt. Just say Egypt for those of us who don't speak romantic Arabic.

And start us off with your take on the categories you posted. So far, all you've done is post headings.

Originally Posted by JAD_333

Misr, Egypt. Just say Egypt for those of us who don't speak romantic Arabic.

And start us off with your take on the categories you posted. So far, all you've done is post headings.

Naw, there is nothing to see in Egypt... Let's just continue to focus on Syria, the EU debt crisis, the deranged Colorado shooting and who will be better for the economy.

Ok, what of the dynamic of rhetoric? The MB controlled Constitutional Assembly passed changes to Article 2 of the proposed Egyptian constitution. Here is the reaction of Salafis, who were supposed to be sharing power with the folks who just passed this addition...

Salafi leader: Text on Copts in constitution entrenches sectarianism

Sheikh Sa’eed Abdel Azim, one of the Salafist Call leaders, accused on Tuesday the constitution-drafting body of entrenching sectarianism by adding a text that says, “Jews and Christians have the right to refer to their religious laws and appoint their spiritual leaders” to the second article of the constitution.

In a statement reported by the Middle East News Agency, Abdel Azim said he believes that this addition paves the way for foreign interference in Egypt’s internal affairs.

It was enough to say that Islamic Shari’a is the main source of legislation because it will consequently protect the rights of Christians and Jews in referring to their laws in personal affairs, he said.

Damn! What the hell is going on here?

Here's the originally proposed constitution, as article 2 has now been amended.

and the threat...let's see if the Salafis can mobilize like they promise:

Salafi-Brotherhood dispute over Article 2 of constitution escalates

Disagreements between the Salafi-oriented Nour Party and the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party have escalated over the text of the second article of Egypt's anticipated constitution.

The Nour Party has threatened to withdraw from the Constituent Assembly tasked with drafting the constitution and to rally "millions" of opponents of the anticipated document if drafters fail to amend its second article, which stipulates that the "principles" of Islamic sharia are the main source of legislation.

The party insists on removing the word "principles", making Islamic sharia the main source of legislation and thus guaranteeing a more extensive application of Islamic law, but the FJP supports keeping the article as is.

Senior Nour Party leader and constituent assembly member Younis Makhyoun told Al-Masry Al-Youm that Salafis will reject any constitution that is at odds with Sharia and maintains Article 2 in its current form.

Makhyoun said the failure to remove the word "principles" would give the chance to the Supreme Constitutional Court to interpret Sharia.

But Ali Abdel Fattah, an FJP leader, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the Brotherhood opposes any change to the article, and added that the term "principles" involves all forms of justice and integrity.

more interesting hoohaa...

Infighting in Constituent Assembly as draft articles presented

The right to health article drafted by the committee stipulates that the state has a duty to offer medical care to all citizens regardless of their economic capabilities. Hospitals would be prohibited from denying emergency health services to citizens for financial reasons.

In the article discussing the right to work, the committee drafted a maximum and minimum wage for the public sector and determined that the constitution protects the right to strike, which is to be regulated by law.

The Independent and Supervisory Bodies Committee presented articles to ensure the independence of state institutions such as the Central Auditing Authority and the Central Bank.

Regarding the media, the committee proposed a professional body to regulate private media and a national body to run state media. Some members criticized the article, saying that it will lead to state control over the media, similar to the current system.

As for the Defense and National Security Committee, which is handling the controversial section of the constitution determining the military’s position, the committee’s head Mohamed Mohey el-Din said that the committee is close to reaching an agreement “that will not upset any of the sides.”

Mohey el-Din announced that the committee decided that the president will be the supreme commander of the armed forces while the minister of defense will be its general leader.

The committee proposed a national council, half civilian and half military, including the president, to attend to matters of national security.

The committee proposed to grant the president the power to declare war, with the consent of the national council and the parliament. Some members disagreed sharply with these proposals.

Finally, the Ruling System Committee announced that it was leaning towards an arrangement that distributes powers between the president and the cabinet.