Egypt: People approve new Constitution

- DR. ABDUL RUFF

[Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal, Specialist on State Terrorism ;Chancellor-Founder of Centor for International Affairs(CIA); Commentator  on world affairs, Analyst on Middle East, Chronicler of Foreign occupations & Freedom movements (Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Xinjiang, Chechnya, etc.) Former university Teacher; website: http://abdulruff.wordpress.com/mail: abdulruff_jnu@yahoo.com]

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Egypt: People approve new Constitution

Notwithstanding the protests and campaigns by anti-Islamists in Egypt, backed by global anti-Islam infrastructure (GAI), against the Brotherhood led new government in Cairo, Egyptians have overwhelmingly voted in favour of the new Constitution as well as the popularly elected new regime in a referendum - considered to be the first crucial test for President Mursi’s diplomatic calibre plus leadership quality. 

As a gift from populations to President Morsi with an Islamic mission and pro-people intent, an unofficial tally showed 64 percent of voters backed the charter after two rounds of voting that ended with a final ballot on 22 December Saturday. The outcome of the vote was widely expected to go Islam way especially soon after a massive victory for the Brotherhood party and Mursi presidency.

The referendum committee may not declare official results for the two rounds until Monday, after hearing appeals. If the outcome is confirmed, a parliamentary election will follow in about two months.

An Islam-backed Egyptian constitution won approval by a popular vote, however, rival camps expressed their own views.  Islamists and rivals clashed in Alexandria, the second-biggest city, on the eves of both voting days. After the vote, the opposition – a combination of all sorts of outfits converging on anti-Islam platform -  as expected said would sow deep social divisions in the Arab world's most populous nation. An opposition official also said their unofficial count showed the result was a "yes" vote by democratic means.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which propelled President Mohamed Mursi to power in a June election, has welcomed the referendum results as the yet another positive signal in the form of popular mandate for the Mursi regime.  

The new basic law sets a limit of two four-year presidential terms. It says the principles of sharia, Islamic law, remain the main source of legislation but adds an article to explain this. It also says Islamic authorities will be consulted on sharia - a source of concern to anti-Islam gangs trying to negate the gains of popular struggle at Tahrir Square - the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution against former president Hosni Mubarak. At least eight people were killed in protests outside the presidential palace in Cairo this month essentially against Islam and Islamic rule. .

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Mursi's Islamist backers rightly say the constitution is the prime tool for reshaping the society and is therefore vital for the transition to democracy, nearly two years after Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising. It will provide the stability needed to help a fragile economy. The constitution is "a historic opportunity to unite all national powers on the basis of mutual respect and honest dialogue for the sake of stabilizing the nation," the Brotherhood said in a statement.

During the build-up to the vote there were deadly protests, sparked by Mursi's decision to award himself extra powers in a November 22 decree and then to fast-track the constitutional vote. Islamists and rivals clashed in Alexandria, the second-biggest city, on the eves of both voting days.

The main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front, modelled on Christian organizations and backed by anti-Islam media, responded to the defeat by saying it was moving towards forming a single political party to challenge the Islamists who have dominated the ballot box since strongman Hosni Mubarak was overthrown two years ago. 

The opposition accuses Mursi of pushing through a text that supports Islam, favours Islamists and ignores the rights of Christians. The misguided opposition says the National Salvation Front would use "all peaceful, democratic means" such as protests to challenge the constitution. The opposition said voting in both rounds was marred by abuses. They say it is a recipe for further unrest. They had expected the Libyan course should repeat itself in Egypt too thereby the opposition takes power with support from NATO terror syndicate...

Members of the opposition, taking heart from a low turnout of about 30 percent of voters, pledged to keep up pressure on Mursi through peaceful protests and other democratic means. "The referendum is not the end of the road," said K Dawoud, a spokesman for the National Salvation Front. "It is only the beginning of a long struggle for Egypt's future."

However, an Egyptian official said the overall vote favoured the charter. The vote was split over two days as many judges had refused to supervise the ballot, making a single day of voting impossible. The committee overseeing the two-stage vote said its investigations showed no major irregularities in voting on December 15, which covered about half of Egypt's 51 million voters. About 25 million were eligible to vote in the second round.

Poverty, police brutality and anger at corruption fuelled the 18-day revolt that unseated Mubarak, dismantling his regime. Post Mubarak polls brought Brotherhood party to power and Mohammad Mursi to presidency.

Meanwhile, a Cairo court has decided it will rule on the appeal of ousted former President Hosni Mubarak on January 13, a move that could lead to Mubarak being retried over the killing of protesters last year. Mubarak and former Interior Minister Habib al-Adli were sentenced to life in prison in June after a court ruled they were responsible for the deaths of around 850 people who were killed when security forces tried to quash an uprising against Mubarak. If their appeals were accepted, they would be retried, the source said. The court would on the same date also rule on appeals over corruption charges lodged by Mubarak's sons, Alaa and Gamal. Mubarak and his two sons are currently being held in Torah prison in Cairo. 

It is high time Egypt ended terrific confrontational politics that divides the society further and moved forward with pro-people agenda and suitable polices to help Egyptians overcome their difficulties in all sphere. 

President Morsi has a prime duty to steer the nation towards a cohesive nation of best possible human virtues and values. In the name of democracy, all western terrocracies  target people, killing them fearlessly.  Opposition in Cairo must give up their rigid anti-Islam agenda and reorient their struggle and politics to gear the nati0n towards prosperity and glory- where common people thrive and live in peace.  

Enemies of Islam are keenly watching the politics and progress of new Egypt under President Mursi!