Egyptian Baha’is Meet with Committee of 50 Chairman to Weigh in on Constitution
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In the space of an hour and a half, the representatives related their hopes for a constitution that recognized Baha’i rights as equal to those of every Egyptian citizen — Muslim, Christian, Jewish or of any other faith. They stressed the importance of a constitution that did not discriminate based on “color, gender or creed”. Among their other requests:
Laws that protected the rights of Baha’i citizens to be issued identity papers. In the past, identity cards were only issued to people of faiths recognized by the state — Muslims, Jews and Christians. In 2008, Rauf Hindi, one of the representatives present at the meeting, won a court case which allowed Baha’is to apply for identity cards as long as they leave the religion field black. The state still does not recognize the Baha’i faith as a legitimate religion.
Laws to criminalize discrimination against minorities. They also requested that an independent body be allowed to monitor cases of minority discrimination.
Disassociation of the Baha’i faith with “Satanism” or other pagan religions. A popular misconception of the Baha’i faith mischaracterizes it as “Satanic”l these popular misconceptions are often perpetuated by state officials and underly much of hostility towards Baha’is in Egypt.
Participation of Egyptian Baha’is in international conferences on world religions and participation in global development programs.
Regarding Article 3 of the Proposed Constitution, which allows for the personal matters of Jewish and Christian Egyptians to be facilitated under their respective religious jurisprudences, Dr. Rauf expressed concerns that it would not sufficiently protect the rights of Baha’is. He stressed the importance of a constitution that provided human rights protections for all.
Baha’is in Egypt have historically been the target of state persecution and discrimination — dating back to the regime of Gamal Abdul Nasser, who (problematically) associated the Baha’i faith with the state of Israel. Without consideration of Baha’i rights in the new constitution, Egypt will have come short on its commitment to democratic ideals. This meeting may either be part of an effort to effectively institute those ideals or it may be an empty gesture to appease the Baha’i community. Time — and a new constitution — will tell.
EGYPTIAN BAHA’IS MEET WITH COMMITTEE OF 50 CHAIRMAN TO WEIGH IN ON CONSTITUTION | بـا قــــة و ر د Rose Bouquet at 5:09 pm
[...] BAHA’IS MEET WITH COMMITTEE OF 50 CHAIRMAN TO WEIGH IN ON CONSTITUTION نشرت الشبكة الاسلامية لحقوق البهائيين اليوم 14 اكتوبر [...]
October 6-12: This Week in the Constituent Assembly | EgyConstitution at 8:37 pm
[...] Also this week, representatives of the Baha’i community in Egypt met with the Assembly to express their hopes for a Constitution that recognizes Baha’i rights as it does rights for Muslims, Christians, and Jews. (The Muslim Network for Baha’i Rights) [...]
Nabeel Kamal at 1:14 pm
It is about time to give the Baha’is of Egypt the right to practice their religion. After All Bahia’s believe in God Messengers, and their message.
the Main obstacle for Muslims to accept the Baha’i Faith, is Surah Al-Ahzab 33:40, and forgot that the Holy Quran Mentioned that John & Christ are coming back. Surah Mariiam 19:07, and 19:15.
May God g
uide us all.
Dustur al-Shaab / دستور الشعب at 8:32 pm
[...] للمزيد اقرأ باللغة الإنجليزية [...]
A State of Denial: Religious Freedom in Egypt at 4:58 pm
[...] during the constitutional drafting process after Amr Moussa, chairman of the Committee of 50, met with Baha’i community members to hear their grievances, no concrete improvements [...]
Vafa-canada at 9:06 pm
The Baha’is only wish to serve the communities they live in and promote peace, love, unity and the betterment of mankind. They are prohibited to get involved in any form of partisan politics, and have to respect the government and the law of the land they live in. What threat is there in this ?
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