• EGYPT
  • November 6, 2012
  • 2 minutes read

Beltagy: Egypt will Not Be Like Iran or Pakistan

Beltagy: Egypt will Not Be Like Iran or Pakistan

Dr. Mohamed Beltagy, Rapporteur of the Constituent Assembly (CA)’s Committee on Suggestions and Community Dialogue and Secretary-General of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) in Cairo, affirmed that: “This Constitution triumphs for Copts in a permanent and lasting way, not like an exceptional case, a temporary situation or an emergency measure".

In a press statement, Beltagy pointed that false information about Islamic law is being circulated, aimed at scaring, intimidating and turning people against Islamists and the idea of living Islam, as some liken the application of Islam in Egypt to the situation in Iran, Pakistan and other countries.

"The Constitution, for the first time, endorses the ‘Places of Worship’ law in a natural, rather than exceptional, way. This is what Copts have aspired to and demanded for so long. This is a response or a rebuff to those who say that the Constitution was written by Islamists.

"This is also the first time in Islamic history where the Constitution states that non-Muslim followers of heavenly religions have the right to appeal to their religious strictures on matters pertaining to personal status and their religious affairs. This is mentioned in Article 3 – right after the Article on Sharia (Islamic Law)."