Islamic Law for Iraq

The draft constitution for Iraq is in its final processes of agreements and fine tuning. So far, it is not boding well for out "mission" in Iraq and for Iraqi women.

The draft also stipulates that Iraq is an Islamic state and that no law can contradict the principles of Islam, Shiite and Kurdish negotiators said. Opponents have charged that last provision would subject Iraqis to religious edicts by individual clerics.

The Shiite and Kurdish negotiators also said draft calls for the presence of Islamic clerics on the court that would interpret the constitution. Family matters such as divorce, marriage or inheritance would be decided either by religious law or civil law as an individual chooses -- a condition that opponents say would likely lead to women being forced into unfavorable rulings for them by opponents demanding judgments under Islamic law.

Sunni Iraqis, who have complained about being shut out of negotiations for the past several days complain that this constitution is bad for Iraqi independence.

Sunnis and others say such a state would be under heavy influence from neighboring, Shiite-ruled Iran.

Perhaps the Sunnis are to blame for sitting out the elections, but this is not what I would consider a stabilizing event.

Draft Constitution Would Fundamentally Change Iraq