A court has intensified Egypt's power struggle by dismissing the Islamist-dominated constitutional assembly. This development will add more uncertainty to an already complex and tense situation, but it also offers Egyptians another chance to get their basic law right.
After decades of dictatorship, Egypt's courts have shown some signs that they fall short of the impartiality that is the ideal in any legal system. But Tuesday's decision, if it survives the appeal process, may well serve the higher interest of the whole country by freeing the vital constitution-writing process from the grip of the Islamist parties.
After winning a comfortable majority in parliamentary elections, the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) made common cause with Salafist MPs to take control of the 100-member constitution assembly. As a result, the smattering of assembly members speaking for other elements in Egyptian society - Coptic Christians, women, civil-society groups, secularists and veterans of Tahrir Square activist groups among them - chose to boycott the assembly. So, significantly, did scholars from Al Azhar, the influential Islamic centre.
A constitution is never the property of any one party, but of the entire nation. Around the world, constitutions safeguard the rights of individuals and minorities, setting limits on state power and dividing it among branches of government. The best of them are the result of broad compromises among major elements of society.
In a way, this court ruling may have saved Islamist parties from themselves. Inexperienced in electoral politics, and with their own notions of legitimacy, they chose to use their electoral success to seize full control of the constitution. The result would likely have been a document that suited their goals for Egyptian society, but lacked political legitimacy and possibly long-term staying power.
A new assembly with a fair cross-section of Egyptians and politics would still have a sizeable Islamist presence, but could write a more widely accepted basic law. This is essential, not least because the enormous tension between civil and military leadership will be worked out in the years to come under the new constitution.
The issue has now been referred to a panel of judges to rule on the legality of the selection process. Their decision, too, will be scrutinised for its fairness and adherence to judicial principles. Egypt's constitutional debate is far from over.
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
If you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.
The hotels
Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The%20specs
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MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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England v South Africa schedule
- First Test: Starts Thursday, Lord's, 2pm (UAE)
- Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
- Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
- Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
A Prayer Before Dawn
Director: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire
Starring: Joe Cole, Somluck Kamsing, Panya Yimmumphai
Three stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company%20Profile
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SQUADS
UAE
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice-captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
Nepal
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Avinash Bohara, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Basant Regmi, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
THREE
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