Syria kept a central role for Islamic law in a constitutional declaration issued on Thursday which guarantees women's rights and freedom of expression during a five-year transitional period, according to a summary read on TV.The declaration is designed to serve as the foundation for the interim period being led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a Sunni Islamist who spearheaded a lightning offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad from power in December, Reuters reported.Islamic jurisprudence will be ''the main source& of legislation, according to the summary read out during the signing ceremony.
That seemed to differ from the previous constitution which called it &a main source& of legislation.We have kept Islamic jurisprudence as the primary source of legislation among sources of legislation,& said the summary, read out by a member of the committee which drafted the declaration.
&This jurisprudence is a true treasure that should not be squandered,& it said.Sharaa, who has promised to run Syria in an inclusive way, has been grappling with the biggest test of his leadership in the wake of a wave of sectarian killing in the coastal region, blamed on fighters aligned with his government.He appointed the committee to draft the declaration less than two weeks ago.The declaration guarantees women's &right to education and participation in work, and guaranteed them political rights& and provides &for freedom of opinion, expression, media, publication and the press,& according to the summary.We hope that this will be a good start for the Syrian people on the path of construction and development,& Sharaa said in televised remarks during the signing ceremony.Sharaa in February said it would take four to five years to hold a presidential election.Syria's previous constitution, which became law in 2012, was suspended in January.The post Syria keeps role for Islamic law in 5-year transition first appeared on Ariana News.