08 January 2013

Egypt: the Islamization of state policy

.... The introduction of article 219 can potentially open up a wide array of possibilities concerning the ways in which legislation can be made to conform with Islamic jurisprudence.

The diversity of stances, justifications, laws and opinions and sources in Islamic jurisprudence ,and their variability through time and contexts means that interpretations can become hostages to political will.

Jurists’ stances may vary from the ultra-reactionary and conservative to the more progressive. Given the strength of Salafi thinking not only within the Salafi movement but also within the Muslim Brotherhood, it is reasonable to assume that progressive stances may not prevail. [openDemocracy] Read more