British cardinal warns of problems if Iraq becomes Islamic state

Published: 2005-09-07

LONDON (CNS) -- A British cardinal has warned his government of "devastating consequences" if Iraq is allowed to become an Islamic state. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster, England, wrote British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on behalf of Iraq's Christian leaders and urged him "to influence the parties to the constitution to enshrine specific guarantees which establish the equality of non-Muslims." The cardinal told Straw in a letter Sept. 2 that it was vital that a clause asserting the Shariah, or Islamic law, as the main source of law in the draft Iraqi constitution be removed or non-Muslims and women could face losing some of their basic rights as citizens. He said the proposed constitution posed a "real threat" to religious freedom and said there would be an "exodus of Christians" fleeing Iraq if the West allowed the country to fall under Islamic rule.

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