(AP) Maggie Michael - Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said Wednesday it is committed to enshrining Islamic Sharia law as the main source of the new constitution. The previous constitution said "the principles of Sharia" are the basis of law in Egypt, meaning legislation can meet the broad ideas of Islam. Ultraconservatives known as Salafis want that changed to "the rulings of Sharia," implying Egypt's laws would have to abide by the strict letter of what clerics say is meant in Islamic law. Salafis and the Brotherhood together dominate the 100-member assembly writing the new constitution. Many Egyptians fear the implementation of an Islamic penal code as they watch neighboring Saudi Arabia punishing people with execution, usually with a sword, cutting off limbs or stoning to death.
2012-11-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive