Egypt’s new constitution?

Egypt Independent online newspaper
30 November 2012

Egypt Independent’s translation of the draft constitution will be updated throughout the day.

Constitution Preamble

We, the people of Egypt, In the name of God and with the assistance of God, declare this to be Egypt’s Constitution and the document of the pioneering, peaceful revolution, which was started by Egypt’s promising youth, protected by the Armed Forces, championed by the patient Egyptians who gathered in Tahrir Square on 25 January 2011 to assert their rejection of all forms of injustice, oppression, tyranny, plunder and monopoly, to fully proclaim their rights to a decent life, to freedom, to social justice and human dignity — all rights granted by God before being prescribed in constitutions and universal declarations of human rights;

A promise of a new dawn worthy of Egypt’s history and civilization, the same civilization that gave humanity the first alphabet, that opened the way to monotheism and the knowledge of the Creator, adorned the pages of history with creativity, established the oldest state on the banks of the timeless Nile, while from the beginning understanding the meaning of identity, and embodying the values of citizenship.

(Etc., Etc. – click on the link below to read the entire draft document. To me the most important paragraph is this one:)

Article 2

Islam is the religion of the state and Arabic its official language. Principles of Islamic Sharia are the principal source of legislation. (Emphasis added.)

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/egypt-s-new-constitution-unofficial-translation

———————

(Many Egyptians do not wish this Constitution adopted:)

Marches arrive in Tahrir as protesters chant against draft constitution

Marches began arriving in Tahrir Square Friday afternoon for the “Martyrs’ Dream” mass demonstration, which many political parties, movements and revolutionary groups had called for against the most recent constitutional declaration.

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/update-marches-arrive-tahrir-protesters-chant-against-draft-constitution

Thousands protest nationwide against Morsy, Constituent Assembly

Thousands of Egyptians took to the streets in various governorates Friday to denounce the constitutional declaration issued on 22 November, as well as the final draft of the constitution approved by the Islamist-dominated Constituent Assembly.

Protesters say President Mohamed Morsy’s decrees grant him unprecedented powers and make him a new dictator. They say the constitution was approved hastily and without the consensus of different political and social powers.

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/thousands-protest-nationwide-against-morsy-constituent-assembly