CAIRO: Egypt’s second biggest Islamist party yesterday walked out of a committee amending the constitution, to protest against moves to curb the influence of Islam in state affairs.
The Salafist Al Nour party, which backed the army’s overthrow of the more moderate Islamist Mohammed Mursi from the presidency in July, said it was not quitting the committee but wanted to show its anger.
Bassam Al Zarka, deputy head of Nour, left yesterday’s meeting but had not quit the 50-member committee, Shabaan Abel Alem, a party official and former parliamentarian, said. “Dr Bassam had suggestions about the articles related to Islamic identity but was surprised to find his opinion not even written in the session’s minutes and completely ignored.”
Nour remained on the committee, he said, and would continue to press its point of view. “We had reservations about the committee and its improper representation of the state’s powers from the start, yet we decided to join as we are pro-negotiations as a way to implement our goals.”
A draft containing possible amendments for the new constitution, leaked to the media last month, showed a desire to decrease the influence of Islamic laws and ease rules banning officials from the Mubarak era from running for office. It also suggested restoring a voting system which favoured individuals over parties and which would hamper the chances of organised groups like the Brotherhood from winning.
Reuters
