LONDON, JULY 15, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The long-awaited constitution now being prepared in Iraq could effectively turn the country into an Islamist state, warns the auxiliary bishop of Baghdad.
In a letter presented July 14 to the British branch of the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop Andraos Abouna expressed his concerns that this new constitution could also include automatic discrimination against non-Muslims.
The letter was signed by the leaders of nine Christian denominations, and it makes a desperate plea for equality of all religious groups.
Underlying the leaders' concerns are reports that Shiite Muslims -- Iraq's largest religious group -- are pressing for a permanent constitution that enshrines Shariah, or Islamic law.
The Church leaders are fearful that their faithful could become victims of the discrimination and persecution that Christians face in other places where Shariah is imposed.
ZE05071504 - 2005-07-15
Permalink: http://zenit.org/article-13576?l=english
Iraq's Christians Fearful of Islamic Law
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