Article 1 states: The Arab Republic of Egypt is an independent sovereign state, united and indivisible, its system democratic. The Egyptian people are part of the Arab and Islamic nations, proud of belonging to the Nile Valley and Africa and of its Asian reach, a positive participant in human civilization.

Article 3 states: The canon principles of Egyptian Christians and Jews are the main source of legislation for their personal status laws, religious affairs, and the selection of their spiritual leaders.

Article 4 states: Al-Azhar is an encompassing independent Islamic institution, with exclusive autonomy over its own affairs, responsible for preaching Islam, theology and the Arabic language in Egypt and the world. Al Azhar Senior Scholars are to be consulted in matters pertaining to Islamic law.

Article 11 states: The State shall safeguard ethics, public morality and public order, and foster a high level of education and of religious and patriotic values, scientific thinking, Arab culture, and the historical and cultural heritage of the people; all as shall be regulated by law) Source: The Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt.]

The Egyptian Center for Developmental Studies declared its rejection of the Coptic quota in the elections. It justified its position by stating that the quota is against the principle of equality of all citizens (Rāmī Yāsīn, al-Ahrām, Sept. 23). Read original text in Arabic.