12:00PM- Check Iraq the Model for up to-the-minute updates on what Iraqi spokesmen are saying about the constitution on Arab Television..
It seems that the Shi'a and Kurdish leaders have decided to present a draft constitution, with or without Sunni support. On the key question of the role of Islam in the constitution, Omar reports that at a press conference in Baghdad 30 minutes ago, two members of the CDC from the United Alliance announced the following compromise:
" No laws that are against the widely agreed upon values of Islam can be issued and no laws that are against the values of democracy and human rights can be issued."
Depending on the exact wording, this could be a great compromise that provides the requisite ambiguity and space in Iraqi political life for pro-democracy Muslims to argue for interpretations of Islam that are compatible with the core democratic values of equality before the law and basic freedom for all citizens - in which case Iraq could become the center of a vibrant intellectual and religious debate about Islam and democracy.
On the other hand, if the constitution explicitly states that no law may contravene Shari'a, and does not specify what is meant by "the values of democracy," then the door will have been opened for new laws to be introduced that subject Iraqi women to the will of their husbands or other male guardians, as is the case in virtually all countries where family law is governed by Shar'ia, as well as laws curtail the freedom of religion and belief of all Iraqis.
For many Iraqis who simply want security, electricity and jobs, it is hard to see what difference a few words on a piece of paper can make. And yet a few words will make all the difference in the world.
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