Jama’a al-Islamiya on Tuesday said it has prepared a draft constitution that it plans to submit it to the Constituent Assembly when the constitution-drafting body convenes its first session.
MP Aamir Abdel Rahim, spokesperson for the Islamist organization's Construction and Development Party, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the goal is to provide assistance, not to impose the proposal, and that it would not lead to any disputes.
He said the group's representatives in the assembly, Mohamed Mahsoub and Mohamed Nagy Derbala, will submit the draft for consideration.
“We support any national consensus until the constitution is finalized,” said Abdel Rahim. “In the past, we had no objection against the formation of the entire Constituent Assembly from outside the Parliament, as long as there was a consensus and it was done through patriotic figures that can prepare a great constitution fit for post-revolution Egypt.”
Abdel Rahim said he expects the parties that withdrew from the Constituent Assembly in protest of its make-up to return, saying their withdrawal was an unjustified objection that will not affect the panel's work.
He anticipated the constitution would be drafted within six months, claiming that the points in dispute are far fewer than areas of agreement.
The Shura Council Legislative Committee on Sunday also announced that it had prepared a draft constitution approved by all of its members. The draft includes 115 articles in five sections and provides for a civil state and a mixed presidential-parliamentary system, according to the committee.
Committee chairman Yehia Aqil, a Freedom and Justice Party leader, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the most important features in the freedoms section protect the right to organize strikes and peaceful protests, as well as religious freedoms for non-Muslims.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
