A Political Reformation

As Iraq drafts its constitution, the I word - Islam - figures prominently. Should it be there or not?

The key, it seems, is that the religion not remain under the control of the few who would shape it to their own power, but under the control of the many, who would shape it to the good of the future.

The current draft provides little guide as to who has authority over such interpretations, which could inadvertently cede authority to third parties. With that in mind, huzzaba eliminating all that and instead adding something like this:

All law must concur with the teachings of God. In all court cases where those teachings are judged as matters of law, the final interpretation shall rest, by majority vote, with Parliament.

Please, please ... stop and think about the practical implications of this before you make up your mind.

I mean, if Islam's gonna be anywhere at all in the Iraqi constitution, then at least allow for control by the people thru their elected reps, which sure seems like a quicker path to change for the better ... as opposed to leaving the answer hanging, where any number of top-down mullahs, or their judicial equivalents, can jump into the fray.

This would have the added advantage of also eliminating the leverage inherent in not having such a clause. Blackmail one or two judges? Why bother, if all of parliament can override? And all of parliament is much tougher to co-opt.

Islam, it has been said (and I have been one of those saying it) needs a Reformation. What better way than to explicitly place it under the control of its populace, instead of its elites?

The rest will follow.