Afghanistan unveiled a post-Taleban draft constitution Monday, a historic milestone on what has been a bloody, bumpy and often tragic path to recovery after decades of war. The draft’s first article declares that "Afghanistan is an Islamic Republic," an indication of the government’s desire to bring the country together under the banner of Islam, which is practiced by the vast majority of Afghans.
| That's because Islamic republics are so peaceful and prosperous and competently led... |
The hard-line law enforced under the former Taleban regime is not expected to be a part of Afghanistan’s future. "The religion of Afghanistan is the sacred religion of Islam. Followers of other religions are free to perform their religious ceremonies within the limits of the provisions of law," the draft states, according to an English translation provided by the government.
While avoiding direct mention of Shariah, the draft states that "in Afghanistan, no law can be contrary to the sacred religion of Islam and the values of this Constitution."
| That opens the way to Islamic banking, silly divorce laws, women as breeding stock, mandatory beards and curly-toed shoes, the whole shebang... |
The draft creates the post of president and vice president, and envisions two houses of congress. The position of prime minister - included in previous versions of the constitution - was cut from the final draft. Many feared a strong prime minister could have emerged as a political and military rival to the president, a major concern in a country that has known little but war for a quarter-century.
| Think Hekmatyar versus Rabanni... |
"The most important thing that a country like Afghanistan needs is stability," said Jawid Luddin, a spokesman for President Hamid Karzai. "This constitution is made for Afghanistan for the next 100, 200 years." The draft must still be debated at a grand council, or loya jirga, next month. Ratification of the document will set the stage for nationwide elections scheduled for June. A red-bound copy of the long-awaited draft constitution was handed to former King Mohammad Zaher Shah, Karzai and Lakhdar Brahimi, special envoy of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, during a ceremony at Kabul’s Presidential Palace. "I hope this will be acceptable for the people and will direct people toward peace, security and democracy," said the 88-year-old Shah. The constitution enshrines Shah as the ceremonial "father of the nation," but he has no official political role and the title will not be passed along to his son. Karzai made no comment during the unveiling ceremony. The draft constitution was handed out in Dari and Pashto, and the English-language version was later released by e-mail. The draft allows political parties to be established as long as their charters "do not contradict the principles of Islam" and sets other conditions such as not having any military aims or foreign affiliation. It sets Pahsto and Dari as the official languages, but the national anthem will be sung in Pashto. |