IRAQ: IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBER ABDUL AZIZ AL-HAKIM SAYS COALITION AUTHORITY SEEM TO HAVE ACCEPTED THE MUSLIM IDENTITY OF IRAQ

Record ID: 646638

  • Title: IRAQ: IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBER ABDUL AZIZ AL-HAKIM SAYS COALITION AUTHORITY SEEM TO HAVE ACCEPTED THE MUSLIM IDENTITY OF IRAQ
  • Date: 27th November 2003
  • Summary: (U7) BAGDHAD,IRAQ (NOVEMBER 27,2003) (REUTERS) 1. WIDE OF SAYED ABDUL-AZIZ HAKIM SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE 0.06 2. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HAKIM SAYING "Until now we haven't received anything official from occupation authorities, either yes or no.. But the tendency within the governing council to accept this issue and today Jalal Talabani affirmed this issue and it will be presented perhaps the day after tomorrow in order to approve it. Then it goes to the occupation authorities and negotiations with them to know their real position..This is in regard to the first question as for the other question one of the issues seem to have accepted is recognising the Islamic identity of the Iraqi people and the formal recognition that the formal state religion of Iraq is Islam. And that Islam is the basis of legislation, and that there would be no legislation that contradicts Islam. Dicussions for the mechanism of electing this council are still ongoing. Among our reservations is our desire for a real U.N. participation in this matter particularly since the U.N. has a role and we depend on U.N security council resoultions." 1.59 3. JOURNAILSTS AT PRESS CONFERENCE (2 SHOTS) 2.09 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 12th December 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVAE9QME1WGNOGZPUAOZN6P164UQ
  • Story Text: Iraqi Governing Council member says the
    Coalition authority seems to have accepted the Muslim
    identity of Iraq and that Islam would be the source of
    legislations while drafting the new constitution.


    In a news conference held on Thurdsay (November 27)
    evening in Baghdad member of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi
    governing council Abdul Aziz al-Hakim said the coalition
    authority seems to have accepted Islam to be the basis of
    law-making in the country.

    "One of the issues seem to have accepted is recognising
    the Islamic identity of the Iraqi people and the formal
    recognition that the formal state religion of Iraq is Islam.

    And that Islam is the basis of legislation," said Hakim,
    also head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic
    Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI).

    Hakim made his remarks hours after a crucial meeting
    between Jalal Talabani, head of Iraq's U.S.-backed
    Governing Council and Shi'ite's highest religious
    authority, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

    Talabani told reporters after the meeting that a U.S.

    plan to transfer power to Iraqis would be amended after
    objections from the country's top Shi'ite cleric.

    The approval of Sistani, who is reported to believe the
    plan pays insufficient heed to Islam and gives Iraqis too
    little say, is crucial for winning widespread backing for
    the U.S. timetable from Iraqi Shi'ites, who make up 60
    percent of the population.

    Talabani met Sistani in the holy Shi'ite city of Najaf
    after the cleric voiced his reservations about the plan,
    which foresees indirect elections for a body that would
    pick a transitional government and oversee the writing of a
    constitution.

    Hakim said Iraq would face problems if an agreement
    could not be reached.

    "Until now we havent received anything official from
    occupation authorities , either yes or no.. But the
    tendency within the governing council is to accept this
    issue," said Hakim.

    Sistani, who does not endorse the U.S.-led occupation
    but unlike radical Shiite clerics does not openly oppose
    it, ruled in June that the constitutions architects must be
    elected. He rarely makes public political pronouncements.

    The United States has said its troops would leave once
    Iraqi authorities can handle security.

    Facing mounting troop casualties, Washington unveiled
    details of a new political plan this month to transfer
    sovereignty to Iraqis faster than previously envisaged.

    Under the terms of the plan agreed with the Governing
    Council last month, regional caucuses will select a
    national assembly by the end of May, and this will pick a
    transitional government by the end of June.

    The government would take over sovereignty from
    occupying powers in July, and a constitution would be
    written and democratic elections held by the end of 2005.


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