LOC21:31
18:31 GMT
(With photos)
AMMAN, Sept 1 (KUNA) -- Muslim scholars and political and legal experts
from 20 countries started a conference here Saturday to discuss possible
mechanisms of encoding the Islamic principles, values and philosophy of
government.
The conference, organized by Al-Quds Center of Political Study in
cooperation with Konrad Adenauer Institution, aims to compile a single Islamic
constitution specifying the Islamic rules and philosophy regarding government,
democracy, human rights and multi-party system.
Dr. Mohammad Abdul-Mohsen Al-Muqate', professor of law of Kuwait
University, tabled to the conferees a blueprint of an Islamic constitution in
five chapters.
"The blueprint is an attempt to involve all conferees in free and frank
debate on the issues raised," Al-Muqate' told KUNA.
"Chapter I deals with the basic principle of the state political system,
Chapter II deals with rules of government and state authorities, Chapter III
deals with freedoms and human rights, Chapter IV covers the financial and
economic aspects of Islamic Sharia, the fifth chapter deals with relations
between specific and general rules of Sharia," he revealed.
Beside Al-Muqate' paper, the first session of the conference, chaired by
deputy chairman of the Academy of Islamic Jurisprudence Qotb Sano, probed
research papers tabled by Iranian scholar Mohammad Shariati and chief justice
of Indonesian Constitutional Court Ahamed Rastandi.
The second session dealt with a paper tabled by Yemeni scholar Al-Murtadha
Al-Mahtouri titled "Rights and Duties of Citizens - an Islamic Perspective"
and another one by Egyptian scholar Sameh Fawzi on citizenship and human
rights in Islam.
The conferees also discussed a paper written by Dr. Aisha Al-Hejjami, of
Marrakech University, Morocco, on Islamic jurisdiction and universal
jurisdiction and another one by Arous Al-Zobair, of Algeria.
In his address to the opening session of the conference, Director General
of Al-Quds Center of Political Study Arib Al-Rentawi said the opposite ends of
the spectrum of the Islamic trend played major roles in the Arab and Muslim
worlds as well as in foreign countries.
The relationship between the Islamic trend and the ongoing political and
democratic changes in differs in a community to another, he pointed out.
For his part, representative of Konrad Adenauer Institution in Jordan Hardy
Austere said the conference aims to probe ways of translating Islamic values
into constitutional principles and rules and ensure the rule of law and
justice.
"A state of constitution and democracy regulates the principles of its
society and identity of its citizens," he noted.
The two-day event is trying to work out a viable blueprint of Islamic
constitution and trans-border guidelines of government in Islamic and Arab
countries.
It drew participation of more than 50 religious, political and legal
experts from 20 countries including; Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, Kenya and the United Kingdom.
A non-government think-tank, Al-Quds Center of Political Study works out
researches and develop a profound understanding on challenges facing Jordanian
people and government.
Konrad Adenauer Institution is a German political organization that started
activity in the Middle East 20 years ago to push forward Euro-Arab dialogue
and cement Germany's bilateral ties with Arab countries. (end)
ab.gb
KUNA 012131 Sep 07NNNN