A Christian leader in Iraq knows that the Sharia provisions in Iraq’s new constitution are not just innocuous window dressing, as some would have us believe. From Zenit, with thanks to DR:
BAGHDAD, Iraq, SEPT. 21, 2005 (ZENIT.org).- The patriarch of Baghdad for the Chaldeans has told Iraqi officials about Catholic bishops’ fears that the draft constitution “opens the door widely” to discrimination against Christians and other Non-Muslims.
In his meeting the president and prime minister of Iraq, Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly urged a last-minute change to the constitution, which the bishops say contradicts itself on the key question of religious rights for minorities.
In the Sept. 18 meeting, the patriarch discussed a statement agreed by the country’s 12 bishops in which they stressed their fears for the future of the Christian community.
The prelates — from the Chaldean, Armenian, Latin and Assyrian Churches — praised Articles 2.1(b) and 2.2 which defend freedom and religious rights but attacked Article 2.1(a) which states: “No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam.”
The bishops’ statement concluded: “The bishops’ conference expressed a grave concern and fear “¦ about Article 2.1(a). This opens the door widely to passing laws that are unjust towards non-Muslims. The conference insists that this clause be amended or deleted.”