The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood website has issued a translation of its statement on the role of Islamic Law (Shariah) in the future of the country. The statement begins:
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded for the purpose of reviving the spirit of Islam and awakening faith in the hearts of society at large, recognizing that this is the way for the nation to rise again, to restore its historical position and vital role and achieve its duty. Hassan Al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, identified the group’s mission as: guiding all humanity to the good ways and enlightening teachings of Islam, without which mankind will not attain happiness. There is no doubt that Islamic Sharia is the most important component of the Egyptian personality, and the most important determinant of the Egyptian identity, since it is for Muslims the true faith and religion, and for non-Muslims it is culture and equal citizenship. Sharia is a comprehensive way of life that seeks to create good individuals and patriotic citizens who love their homeland, are faithful to their fellow nationals, and want to offer all they could to the people around them. Sharia further aims to create a cooperative, supportive society based on equality, justice and mutual respect, and the establishment of good governance that focuses on serving the people, achieving justice between citizens, establishing balanced and independent international relations, seeking to establish peace and humanitarian cooperation, and affirming human rights – thus honoring the meaning of the Verse: ‘O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so you may get to know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you, in the sight of Allah, is the most pious amongst you. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.’ (Quran: 49:13). Thus Sharia awakens faith, reforms behavior, improves the general environment of the whole society, and polishes morals, through persuasion and education, with no coercion whatsoever.
Read the rest here.
A post from last week reported that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood had said that it is committed to making Islamic Law (Shariah) the main source of a new constitution.