Summary:

This e-book contains background studies and an opinion poll carried out in 2011 about Article II of the Egyptian Constitution. This text states that “the principles of Islamic sharī’ah are the primary source of legislation.”  Before the amendment of 1980 the principles of Islamic sharī’ah were a primary source of legislation.”  The amendment of 1980 has been debated ever since then in Egypt. The difference between the two phrases is clear.  Prior to this amendment, the text does not dismiss other sources of legislation, yet after adding the definite article “the” it restricted other sources of legislation.   This debate obtained a new impetus after the revolution of January 25, 2011, since it was agreed that the old constitution needs to be rewritten. Dr. Nabīl Ahmad Hilmī, Professor of International Law, wrote a study on the Egyptian constitution, highlighting the importance of the discussion on Article II of the Egyptian Constitution. Dr. Fātimah al-Zanātī carried out an opinion poll of 5000 individuals in 10 governorates.

Jayson Casper wrote about the CIDT round table discussions about Article II and Hānī Labīb formulated the conclusions. The book includes earlier work of Patricia Prentice and Cornelis Hulsman on Article II of the Egyptian Constitution.