Islamic or Secular Egypt

[Sahar]

The talk about the second article of the Egyptian constitution; whether for or against has arisen strongly in these last days. But I think this shouldn't be the real issue now especially that we haven't got rid of the "passing corrupt regime" until now. This country still needs to see the real change. I think the ideological disagreement shall arise sooner or later and it should be a part of the democratic life anyway but I personally feel that what should determine my choice is how competent the party or the person is, their platforms to reform the education all together and the health services and to achieve social justice. Although I believe in a Shari'a based state and defend it very strongly, I don't want to see what determines our choice for the coming time, specifically, is whether this or that is Islamist or secular more than whether this or that will do better in the education, health and economic fields, etc.
Your thoughts?

 

[maro]

I don't think the second article of the constitution should be changed or removed..and i haven't seen intense debate about that anyway ,Sahar .

Also ,the MB will have no presedential candidate in the coming elections...which means that this debate is not urgent for the current situation

 

[maro]

I also never thought that Egypt is a secular country...we still apply the shariah partially ,anyway...

however , i think fighting corruption and poverty , and achieving justice are the core of the islamic shariah that we have to worry about in the coming period

I also don't think that the MB coming to power is the only way of applying the shariah in the democratic country we aspire for...although i want to see the shariah fully applied in Egypt ,i may not give my vote for the MB ( honestly ,i do have some reservations regarding them )

 

[EiNsTeiN]

No one is going to change the second article of the constitution. Even if they did, it will be subjected to people's choice. I don't really think Egyptians would choose to remove the second article.

It should stay, but we should also consider more rights to the non-Muslims.

 

[Bismillah]

I would say the question is a distraction from the real issue, which is the creation of a system of government by consent of its people. Neither options are mutually exclusive, but I would say are raised by those who would like to cause divisions among the Egyptian people and see that the old interests in Egypt maintain de facto rule over the country.

 

[Sahar]

Maro, I disagree. There are many intellectuals who call for changing the second article. And if that article is not going to be changed then there must actual application of it as we are going into a new age. I think there is a debate about this issue and it shouldn't be our major concern in the coming time because there are more important issues to be focused on.

 

[EiNsTeiN]

The new cabinet is great.

I'm not with Tuesday's protests.

 

[Sahar]

Oh, Ahmed, it's great indeed. But there are still old faces and why Shafek is still there, I don't understand!! I heard what Yehya Al-Gaml said on Al 'Ashira Masa'an but I have just read the article on Al Shoruok news website and surprised to find Amr Hamzawy is among the cabinet...wow!!

But really really wished to see someone like Ahmed Zewail to hold the scientific research and education ministry. I personally don't know those who hold these ministries now, are they good? Will they care about education as it needs? Because education and scientific research is extremely important in this stage.

 

[Sahar]

Oh I have just received a message that Amr Hamzawy refutes what was claimed about him being in the new cabinet! Hmmm...

 

[EiNsTeiN]

The new cabinet members are too fine. Rumors had it that Hussien Megawer was choosen instead of Eisha Abd El Hady, and the supreme council rejected him.

Personally, I have no problems with Shafeeq. They guy's only defect is that he was one of the removed regime. He has great leadership skills, fast and active, honest to a good deal, interactive with the public and has great crisis management skills.

He doesn't have any personal agendas, and I understand the horrible load he is carrying.

Zweil has other business to do, plus not every scientist is good at being a minster.

And there is a great thing actually, that Amr Ezzat Salama is the new minster for scientific research AND "Zweil's scientific ideas".

The government is studying both Zweil's and Farooq El Baz's researches for developing Egypt, which is a great indication.

 

[maro]

I am with the tuesday protests
I want shafiq to go...isn't he the one who wanted to send bonbon to the protests in al tahrir ? isn't he the one who said i guarantee the safety of the protests ,and next day ,we saw the camels and horses ?!!

I want abu el gheit to go ..why is this clown still there ?
i also want mahmoud wagdi to go..how can we trust an interior minister brought by mubarak ?!! didn't the thugs stay for a long time after he came to the ministry ?!!

 

[Sahar]

Yes maro. I don't like Shafek, it's enough that he let the people get killed in the camels attack. It's enough that he don't recognize what has happened as a revolution. I believe the judges are also complaining of the current minister of justice for his usual interference and he wasn't changed.

 

[EiNsTeiN]

Well, I don't want to seem defending Shafeeq, but what happened in the camels attack wasn't his direct responsibility, because the army was in charge of the security in Tahrir square and not the interior.
Shafeeq promised that non of the protesters will be caught after this gets over. Mubarak was the one who promised the safety of the protesters.

 

[EiNsTeiN]

Abo el Gheit and Mar3y will be kicked out soon as well. It goes in phases.

I'm not in favor of rushing everything. The cabinet changed in a good way, and we should be more patient. I find Shafeeq doing well so far, and up to the responsibility.

 

[lunakilo]

No one is going to change the second article of the constitution. Even if they did, it will be subjected to people's choice. I don't really think Egyptians would choose to remove the second article.

It should stay, but we should also consider more rights to the non-Muslims.

Just out of curiosity, what does the second article of the constitution you speak of say?

 

[Sahar]

It says Islam is the religion of the state, Arabic is its official language and the main source of legislation is Islamic Shari'a.

 

[Sahar]

Egypt’s First Political Party After Mubarak

After a 15-years struggle, an Egyptian court on Saturday, February 19, approved the establishment of a political party, the first since the downfall of President Hosni Mubarak.
-------
Religious, Liberal Party
The platform of Al-Wast party promotes a tolerant version of Islam with liberal tendencies.
The party was founded by Abo-Elela Mady, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Mady broke away from the Muslim Brotherhood in the mid-1990s because of what he has described as its "narrow political horizons".
His first attempt to found Al-Wasat Party landed him and others in a military court on accusations of trying to found a party as an Islamist front.
Mady drew criticism from the Brotherhood, which said he was trying to split the movement.
In an interview with Reuters this week, Mady likened his party's ideology to that of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, which has roots in Islam but appeals to a wider electorate, including secular middle class elements as well as religious men.
Al-Wasat Party also includes leading Coptic Christians.

Egypt

Egypt court gives license to party after 15 years