Missing the logic of first things first, the roadmap of post-revolution Egypt is about to reach its destination by hammering out a constitution that ironically specifies the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative and judicial authorities which are now manifesting an extraordinary show of power conflict. Because everything today seems to be born after hard labour, selecting the composition of the Constituent assembly assigned the drafting of the constitution was not an easy task. It took several months owing to disputes over representation of political forces and different society strata. There remained differences over certain articles of the Constitution, mainly the second article having to do with sources of legislation. While ultra conservative Islamists (Salafists) insisted on the phrasing that the rules of Islamic Sharia (religious law) is the major source of legislation. However, moderate Islamists, liberals and secular trends were in favour of retaining the wording of the l971 constitution which underlines the ‘principles' of Islamic Sharia as the major source. The one word difference between the two would be liable to change the face of life in this country. So news about an initial agreement on this article- despite objections here and there from Salafists outside the assembly, are signalling for the first time there is movement towards having a constitution in not too long a time. The assembly members are said to have been satisfied with Al-Azhar's view in preserving the article as it is. Al-Azhar has as usual proved its advocacy of moderation and keenness to preserve the country's identity as a balanced Islamic country. The decisive and yet reasonable statement of Grand-Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb in which he refused to allow differences on lexical issues to waste energies and to open the way for sedition while shunning out more serious issues. Al-Ahzar had actually came up with a guiding document long before any steps were taken to form the assembly which was approved by all political and religious forces. But when the assembly members came down to business the document was brushed aside and here again the document has surfaced as a good option. Al-Azhar has always been the country's religious reference and Islamist trends have to realise that it would remain so.
