Egyptian Scholars Warn Against Changes To Constitution

Egypt's Constitution (Art. 2) provides "Islam is the official religion of Egypt and Islamic Shari'ah is a main source of legislation." Islam Online yesterday reported that a number of secular, leftist and Coptic thinkers have argued that this provision should be eliminated. In response, 110 Egyptian scholars and thinkers have signed a statement warning that "Such calls put at stake social peace in Egypt". The statement argues that "a foray of groundless criticism of Islam and Islamic Shari'ah is taking place, under foreign interference...."