Islam to remain state religion in Egypt's new constitution: Spokesperson

Egypt unlikely to alter Article Two of constitution which states Islamic law is principal source of legislation, says constitution-drafting committee spokesperson Salmawi

Egypt's constitution-drafting committee is unlikely to amend Article Two which defines the role of Islamic law in legislation, committee spokesperson Mohamed Salmawi said on Sunday.
Article Two, which was introduced in the 1971 constitution, states that "Islam is the religion of the state and the principles of Islamic Sharia are the principal source of legislation."
Some leftist members of the 50-member-committee have called for Article Two to be amended in a way that would keep Islam as the official religion of the state while basing legislation on the spirit of all three major monotheistic religions.
At a press conference on Sunday, Salmawi said there were some voices on the 50-member committee – which is mostly made up of liberal and leftist figures– demanding amendments to the article, but the general view was to keep it untouched.
Egypt's major political factions and the Coptic Orthodox Churchsupport Article Two.
Another article, Article 219 of the now-suspended 2012 constitution, which defines Article Two has been stirring controversy among drafters.
Article 219 states: "The principles of Islamic Sharia include its commonly accepted interpretations, its fundamental and jurisprudential rules and it's widely considered sources, as stated by the schools of Sunna and Gamaa."
Critics of the article say it leaves the door open for discrimination against non-Sunni minorities.
The ten-member committee of experts, who handed suggestions for amendments to the 50-member-committee, had recommended the removal of Article 219.
However, the Salafist Nour Party, which has one representative on the 50-member committee, warned against eliminating 219 arguing "that would strip Egypt of its Islamic identity."
Nour said it could agree to the removal of 219 if the wording of 'principle' is eliminated from Article Two.
At Sunday's press conference, Selmawi said the committee would complete its work soon.
The 2012 constitution was suspended following president Mohamed Morsi's ouster in July. A ten-member committee of legal experts was then formed to amend the constitution, and the 50-member committee is tasked with finalising these amendments.
The 50-member committee was expected to produce the constitution's final draft within 60 days.
The constitution will be put to a national referendum within 30 days of it completion.
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