Egypt's Coptic Christians Quit Constitution-Drafting Panel

Religion Today | Published: Apr 03, 2012

Egypt's Coptic Christians Quit Constitution-Drafting Panel

April 4, 2012

Egypt's Coptic church has quit the committee tasked with drafting the country's new constitution, calling its participation "futile" after only six Christians were chosen to take part, CBN News reports. The 100-member panel, which was selected at the end of March, is dominated by Islamists -- roughly 70 of the seats are represented by the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party and the Salafist Nour party. With Muslims leading the constitution-drafting process, concerns have been raised about the content of the new document and sharia (Islamic law) is expected to be a major factor. The Muslim Brotherhood has also nominated a presidential candidate for May's elections, reversing the group's previous claims that it would not seek the country's highest office.

Egypt's Coptic Christians Quit Constitution-Drafting Panel