I've been saying for a long time that many Muslims reject the idea of democracy as incompatible with what they see as God's law: the Sharia. As such, democratic forces in Iraq face an uphill battle, and this bodes ill for equality of rights for non-Muslims and women. From the Washington Post, with thanks to Nicolei:
Iraq's current top official has demanded that Islam be the principal basis for Iraq's laws, a move that breaches a previous agreement among the framers of the interim constitution and creates the possibility that Islamic law could rule the land. If approved, the proposal could have broad effects on secular Iraq, taking away rights of women in divorce and inheritance cases, shuttering liquor stores and banning gambling, legal advisers here say. Elements also run counter to President Bush's goal of turning Iraq into a beacon for democracy in the Middle East."There could be changes in the Iraqi state," said Salem Chalabi, a legal adviser to the Governing Council and a member of the 10-member committee framing the basic transitional law, which acts as an interim constitution and is to take effect at the end of this month.
"If someone proposes a law of inheritance that conflicts with sharia, or Islam, then it's invalid," Chalabi said. "The registration of liquor stores may become illegal." . . .
Islamic law influences the legal code throughout most of the Middle East, but in relatively secular countries, such as Egypt, loopholes are applied in certain areas, for example to allow Western-style banking and in rules governing women's dress.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia follows an Islam-based legal code that provides for amputations for theft and public beheadings for murder and rape.
In an interview televised on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday, Bush said Iraqis would not approve of an extremist Islamic regime.
"They're not going to develop that. And the reason I can say that is because I'm very aware of this basic law they're writing," Bush said to NBC's Tim Russert.
Bush said he discussed the law with three Governing Council members who assured him a future constitution would enshrine minority rights and freedom of religion.
Abdel-Hamid's measure would not take away freedom to practice other religions, but would make Islamic codes the arbiter of future laws, with exceptions made for minority religions. The proposal sparked what framers of the law called "heated" discussions.
The problem is also that that freedom to practice other religions will be severely restricted, if the Sharia is implemented in its fullness, by the discrimination and humiliation mandated for the dhimmis.
Perhaps the largest effect would be to moot much of Iraq's 1959 Law of Personal Status, which grants uniform rights to husband and wife to divorce and inheritance, and governs related issues like child support, Chalabi said.Representatives of Iraq's Kurdish and Christian parties, and those with liberal Western views have voiced opposition to the Islamization of Iraq's legal code, and the issue remains under discussion. Women would be most affected, said one opponent.
"If this happens 50 percent of Iraqi society will need to be liberated," said Younadem Kana, a Christian member of the Governing Council. "We need to fight for the rights of all Iraqis - women and minorities as well."
Speaking in defense of the proposal, Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, a Shiite cleric and member of the Governing Council, said on Saturday that future Iraqi legislators would be prevented from adopting laws that violate Islam. Al-Hakim also said special cases could be made for non-Muslim minorities, including Iraq's 1 million Christians, whose rights to purchase alcohol could be protected.
But that is granting nothing. This right is given to dhimmis under the Sharia.
Committee members said the law, if passed, would bring Iraq's legal code far short of those espoused by more conservative neighbors such as Saudi Arabia - where women aren't permitted to vote or drive."Nobody's suggesting that Iraq become an Islamic state," Chalabi said. "Nobody's really going that far."
I hope they don't.
I worry that Republican and Democrat epistemological and ethical relativists will permit a "moderate Islamic state" in Iraq. That, like the unicorn, Allah, and tooth fairy, is a logical impossibility. Less poison is still poison. We should impose a constitutional republic based on individual rights, which derive from reality and reason, the nature of man, and lead to individual freedom. Then, those who want to chain themselves to the monstrous irrationality called Islam will be free to do so, but they will not be able to force others. Whether "moderate" or "extreme," there is no good Islam. Break its chains and do not allow new ones to form in Iraq.
It's not what the U.S. will permit, it's what the Iraqis will want. It's their religion. If they want to live under more oppression, that's their choice. When it becomes too much for them to bear again, and they cry out, to hell with them. No matter what the U.S. "imposes," when the Iraqis are fully in control, they can do what they want. Islam is their religion, and jihad is their way. My only concern is how long before they come gunning for us.
Sadly I believe this war is going to take many decades to finally end. And unfortunately I believe in order to conquer miliant Islam and the Islamist belief in world domination a great deal of muslims will end up dying. It's not the happiest or best solution but it is looking like the only solution between being killed, converted, or made dhimmis for Islam or being free. People in the west had better face up to this and gird themselves or prepare for, and accept, political, cultural, and religious enslavement. Folks the toothpaste is out of the tube.
My hope is that we did not rid the world of Saddam just to have the Mullahs in power - that is all the world needs - is another Mullah led country like Iran and Saudia Arabia which are both openly and actively supporting jihadis throughout the world against anything not Islamic.
The women must be educated - and given EQUAL rights - not equal rights as seen in Sharia - but truly equal rights - that is the ONLY hope!!!
Where are the Western Women's Organizations here trying to help these women?
jihan
"Al-Hakim also said special cases could be made for non-Muslim minorities, ..."
There's two points here. The first is "could". The second is "non-Muslim minorities". What kind of rights will the minority Sunnis and Kurds have?
I think that the only hope Iraq has is that the Shiite majority there will take a close look at Iran and decide not to repeat the same mistakes.
jay
How can Chalabi say that this will not evolve into an Islamic State when he also said that no law will be allowed if it violates Sharia - doesn't that mean an Islamic State?
All minorities + 50% of the Iraqi Populations - the women - need to come together to fight this. Counting the women and the minorities one would have more than half of the Iraqi population. I do pray that the concept of democracy and equality evolves in Iraq!
Remember that Muslims are allowed to lie to others - even to nominal Muslims - to ensure the spread of Islam - so all of these "coulds" are really "not to worry - we will take care of the minorities as stipulated in Sharia!"
No one should believe any of them when it is stated that there "could" be - could be what - special exceptions for non-Muslims - meaning the wonderful life of a dhimmi.
jihan