Mission Impossible
"Islam is back on the table," said a source close to the negotiations.
Under a deal brokered on Friday by the US ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, Islam was to be named "a primary source of legislation" in the new Iraqi constitution, with the proviso that no legislation be permitted that conflicted with the "universal principles" of the religion.
The latter phrase raised concerns that Iraqi judges would have wide latitude to strike down laws now on the books, as well as future legislation.
At the same time, according to a Kurdish leader involved in the talks, Mr Khalilzad had backed language that would have given clerics sole authority in settling marriage and family disputes. That gave rise to concerns that women's rights could be curtailed.
Finally, Mr Khalilzad had been backing an arrangement that could have allowed clerics to have a hand in interpreting the constitution. That arrangement, coupled with the expansive language for Islam, prompted accusations from Kurds that the Americans were helping in the formation of an Islamic state.
"It's shocking," a secular Kurd politician told Reuters. "It doesn't fit American values. They have spent so much blood and money here, only to back the creation of an Islamist state … I can't believe that's what the Americans really want or what the American people want."
Under a deal brokered on Friday by the US ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, Islam was to be named "a primary source of legislation" in the new Iraqi constitution, with the proviso that no legislation be permitted that conflicted with the "universal principles" of the religion.
The latter phrase raised concerns that Iraqi judges would have wide latitude to strike down laws now on the books, as well as future legislation.
At the same time, according to a Kurdish leader involved in the talks, Mr Khalilzad had backed language that would have given clerics sole authority in settling marriage and family disputes. That gave rise to concerns that women's rights could be curtailed.Finally, Mr Khalilzad had been backing an arrangement that could have allowed clerics to have a hand in interpreting the constitution. That arrangement, coupled with the expansive language for Islam, prompted accusations from Kurds that the Americans were helping in the formation of an Islamic state.
"It's shocking," a secular Kurd politician told Reuters. "It doesn't fit American values. They have spent so much blood and money here, only to back the creation of an Islamist state … I can't believe that's what the Americans really want or what the American people want."
Labels: Politics of religion
posted by Guambat Stew at Monday, August 22, 2005
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