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Sudan Tribune

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Sudan’s non-Muslim commission seeks to quell clerics’ anger

September 5, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The commission for the rights non-Muslim (CNMR) defended their request for introducing a series of amendments that exempt non-Muslims from restrictions imposed on civil liberties in the capital.

Those restrictions include a curfew on holding private parties after 11 p.m. but he Muslim Scholars Authority (MSA), which is the state-controlled clergy whose duty is to issue Fatwas (religious edicts) slammed the proposals saying it is a pretext “for spreading chaos and immorality”.

The CNMR spokesperson Mohamed Abdel-Rahman Al-Omda responded saying that it has not asked for the abolishment or abrogation of the Islamic Shari’a law or imposing secularism saying this is beyond its jurisdiction.

Al-Omda said in a statement carried by Sudan official news agency (SUNA) that CNMR requested changes to few clauses of the Public Order law that it believed jeopardize the rights of non-Muslims.

The statement mentioned Article 1/7 to extend the curfew for Christians wedding parties and festivals till 12.00 midnight instead of 11.00 pm.

Furthermore Article 21 and 24 which deals with closing down shops during Friday prayers and Ramadan are also part of the proposed changes submitted to exempt Christians.

The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) is campaigning heavily to convince Southerners to vote for unity in the 2011 referendum scheduled for next January.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has demanded in the past that Islamic law be abrogated if there was to be any chance for preserving the unity of the country.

However, the Islamic backed NCP said that Sharia’a law is red line that cannot be touched under any circumstances.

(ST)

10 Comments

  • murlescrewed
    murlescrewed

    Sudan’s non-Muslim commission seeks to quell clerics’ anger
    This is precisely what is standing in the way of equal citizenship and unity in Sudan. Unless Northerners come to the realization that they are not the only ones in Sudan and must accommodate others, unity is a distant dream that can never be realized. Islamic ordinances should only apply to followers of that faith. Others are free to do whatever they want without curfew and restrictions as long as they don’t violate laws or peace.

    Reply
  • Mr Point
    Mr Point

    Let them stop the parties in Khartoum after 11 p.m.
    – let them try to stop the party in South Sudan after January 11!

    Reply
  • Kur
    Kur

    Sudan’s non-Muslim commission seeks to quell clerics’ anger
    I do not think that South Sudanese should even waste time their in the North after the CPA. Islamic law is an evil thing and people should not subjected to it. Therefore, Southerners should leave the North immediately and come home. All these reckless restrictions are mockery of freedom.

    Kur

    Reply
  • okucu pa lotinokwan
    okucu pa lotinokwan

    Sudan’s non-Muslim commission seeks to quell clerics’ anger
    To
    Sudan,s non Muslim commission.
    Please you are realy wasting your time,since sharia law is red line which can not be touch at,remain with your sharia in the north sudan government,in the south sudan government no sharia but there will also laws which muslim in south sudan should follow.We southerners we are goingg to vote for separation that red line which can not be touch at by sharia

    Reply
  • DASODIKO
    DASODIKO

    Sudan’s non-Muslim commission seeks to quell clerics’ anger
    I don’t see any reason why Khartoum clerics are perplexied about amending closes or articles to please people of South Sudan to stay as slaves in their own country. The referandum is abput 150 days only and people of South will go with their ugliness toward their religion Islam, after that let the Arab in the North apply their Sharia laws in their own homes.

    Reply
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