Egyptians protest for applying Islamic laws

Hundreds of Egyptians flocked Friday to central Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of last year's massive demonstrations that toppled the former regime, calling for applying Islamic laws "Sharia". Carrying the Egyptian flags, the protestors chanted, "The people want to apply Allah laws" and "Islam is the solution." They also distributed leaflets asking for enforcing Sharia provisions in all fields including economy and banking systems. More than 20 Islamist movements had announced participation in Friday's demonstrations, topped by Sharia students, in preparation for a million-man march next Friday to demand the new constitution include articles which stipulate applying the Sharia's provision. The demonstration, organized in a peaceful way, impeded the traffic flows. Meanwhile, the Constituent Assembly, which is tasked with writing the new constitution, is expected to finish the final draft before Dec. 12. The independent and supervisory committee in the Constituent Assembly have almost finished the final reading of the constitution articles, which will be discussed at a general assembly on Sunday, according to state news agency MENA. The second article of the constitution is disputed among the political movements, as the liberal powers and Muslim Brotherhood' s Freedom and Justice party called for it to stipulate Sharia principles as the basic source for jurisdiction, while ultra- conservative Salafist movement insisted that Sharia is the only source for jurisdiction.