Islamists protest for sharia as Egypt debates constitution

Reuters ^ | Nov 10, 2012 | Marwa Awad

[Pete]

CAIRO (Reuters) - Thousands of Islamists rallied in Cairo on Friday to demand immediate introduction of sharia and called on President Mohamed Mursi to resist opposition to Islamic law.

Islamists, Liberals and non-Islamists have locked horns over what civic freedoms women, Christians and minority groups will enjoy under a new constitution being drafted by an Islamist-dominated panel.

The constitution is supposed to become the cornerstone of democratic transition after the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak last year. Without it, the country cannot hold elections to replace a parliament that a court declared void in June.

The Islamist camp is divided. Islamists on the panel are aiming to reach consensus over the constitution, but Friday's rally brought together groups with little representation on the body - including the Salafist Front, its political arm the People Party, the Gamaa Islamiya and its Building and Development Party.

Many waved banners with the words: "God's law is our constitution". The Saudi Arabian flag was seen flying over a sea of Islamist protesters. The Egyptian flag was missing.

"The people demand God's law implemented," chanted thousands of demonstrators.

Asked what implementing sharia meant for them, many said it involved eradication of corruption and loose sexual behaviour, modesty in men and women's dress, and improved living conditions.

Mursi's ruling Muslim Brotherhood, which says it favours only a gradual introduction of sharia, and the ultraconservative al-Nour Party refrained from participating. Both are well represented in the 100-strong constitutional panel.

[Pete]

Here is the key part that we are not hearing about:

Mursi's ruling Muslim Brotherhood, which says it favours only a gradual introduction of sharia, and the ultraconservative al-Nour Party refrained from participating. Both are well represented in the 100-strong constitutional panel.