Assembly Floor Erupts Over Constitution Article on Religion

[Valin]

Tunisialive:

Robert Joyce and Safa Ben Said

1/22/14

 

For the second night in a row, Tunisia’s National Constituent Assembly (NCA) session ended in shouting and confusion.

On Tuesday night, NCA member Ibrahim Kassas stood from his chair and repeatedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is great”) before fainting.

 

(Snip)

 

 

Debate on Tuesday night centered around Article 6, which addresses the assembly’s most controversial issue: the relationship between religion and the state. The measure was passed earlier this month by a large margin.

Article 6, as passed originally, says the “state protects religion, guarantees freedom of belief and conscience and religious practices, protects sanctities, and ensures the neutrality of mosques and places of worship from partisan instrumentalisation.” (Click for a full English translation of the draft constitution)

 

(Snip)