IRAQ: CONSTITUTIONAL PATH BEING PAVED FOR ISLAMIC LAW — BARNABAS FUND REPORTS

March 5, 2004

As violence in Iraq reaches new appalling levels, the foundations are being laid upon which sharia (Islamic law) may be built.

With the current figures standing at 271 deaths after the anti-Shia bombings of March 2, the Iraqi Governing Council has declared three days of mourning, and hence a delay in the signing of the interim constitution, or Transitional Administrative Law (T.A.L.).

The T.A.L. cites Islam as a source of law — as opposed to the source — which would bode well, were it not for the following qualifying paragraph stating that no law is to be passed which goes against the tenets of Islam. Such tenets are codified in the sharia, which carries inbuilt discrimination against women and non-Muslims.

Islam is not merely recognised as the majority religion, but the official religion… There are no commitments to honour Iraq’s signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights… Without such restrictions there will be nothing to prevent sharia-compliant legislation being passed…

The T.A.L. enshrines a Bill of Rights and Article 4 does guarantee “freedom, practice and rites of the other religions will be protected,” but what about rights? The emphasis is institutional… There is no protection for the individual’s freedom of expression, no protection for an individual who wants to change his/her religion… Religions not officially recognised, like the Mandeans (followers of John the Baptist), will no doubt continue to be ruthlessly persecuted.

SHARIA EATING AWAY AT WOMEN’S RIGHTS

…The minister of education has replaced all but three university presidents with Islamists. They in turn have decreed that all women at university should now wear headscarves… A female lawyer in Najaf was barred from being a judge… Dr. Sawsan al-Sharafi was asked to leave her post because certain hardliners would not work for her.

ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE CONTINUES

…On 3 February a Christian residence in Basra was hit by a grenade… On 14 February an American missionary was killed… Five Christian roadside vendors in Basra were shot dead on 15 February by vigilantes with Kalashnikovs… Many Christian Churches have received anonymous threatening letters… Posters have been put up urging Christians to convert to Islam or leave the country…

Pray

• Praise God that Islam is only a source of law…

• Pray for Administrator Paul Bremer’s wisdom…

• Pray for Iraqi Christians: peace, faith, hope, and the Lord’s protection.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and persecution.