To Be or Not to Be

Published on March 1, 2004

Iraq’s U.S.-appointed Governing Council has agreed on the principle of a federalist constitution, reports Al Jazeera. “Islam will be the official religion of the state and it will be a source … of legislation,” says one official Council spokesman — even as divorce and inheritance will not be subject to religious tradition. Islam Online adds some nuance: “The draft charter recognizes Islam […]

Iraq’s U.S.-appointed Governing Council has agreed on the principle of a federalist constitution, reports Al Jazeera. “Islam will be the official religion of the state and it will be a source … of legislation,” says one official Council spokesman — even as divorce and inheritance will not be subject to religious tradition.

Islam Online adds some nuance: “The draft charter recognizes Islam as a source of the legislation rather than the only source, and stipulates that no laws will be passed against this religion.”

And then muddles it: “The language was put in such a way not to offend the Islamic identity of most of the people but nor to offend the other side and give the impression that’s an Islamic state,” a spokesman for Pentagon fave Ahmed Chalabi is quoted as saying.

Now the question is: What will Paul Bremer do?

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