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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Cleric Hopes Islam Basis for Law in Iraq |
| 2005-08-06 |
| EFL The Iraqi prime minister said Friday that the country's leading Shiite Muslim cleric hopes the constitution being drawn up will enshrine Islam as the main source of legislation — something opposed by Kurds and some Iraqi women activists. A younger radical Shiite cleric, meanwhile, urged Iraqis to participate in the constitutional process but added that he personally would not vote in elections planned for year's end because of the presence of foreign troops. Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari commented on the constitution after spending nearly two hours with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most influential cleric in the Shiite Muslim community, which makes up 60 percent of Iraq's population. The two were believed to have talked about recent developments ahead of Sunday's meeting of political leaders from Iraq's various communities to try to resolve differences over the charter. The proposed constitution is supposed to be presented to the National Assembly by Aug. 15 so legislators can debate its final wording. A referendum on the charter would be held by mid-October, and approval would lead to national elections by mid-December. Al-Jaafari later met with radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has toned down his opposition to the U.S.-led coalition since his supporters staged a failed uprising last year, and Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim, one of four Shiite grand ayatollahs but who does not have a high profile politically. After that meeting, al-Jaafari was asked whether al-Sistani wants Islam to be the main source of legislation or one of the sources. "Ayatollah al-Sistani does not want to impose dictation on drafting the constitution, but according to my knowledge he hopes that Islam become the main source of legislation," al-Jaafari replied. Al-Sadr also told reporters that every Iraqi should be involved in the constitutional process, although he added that he would not participate in the planned Dec. 15 elections. "I will not take part in the presence of occupiers, but I will give the freedom to whoever wants to join," he said. ... |
| Posted by:ed |