Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AEMR ASEC AMGT AE AS AMED AVIAN AU AF AORC AGENDA AO AR AM APER AFIN ATRN AJ ABUD ARABL AL AG AODE ALOW ADANA AADP AND APECO ACABQ ASEAN AA AFFAIRS AID AGR AY AGS AFSI AGOA AMB ARF ANET ASCH ACOA AFLU AFSN AMEX AFDB ABLD AESC AFGHANISTAN AINF AVIATION ARR ARSO ANDREW ASSEMBLY AIDS APRC ASSK ADCO ASIG AC AZ APEC AFINM ADB AP ACOTA ASEX ACKM ASUP ANTITERRORISM ADPM AINR ARABLEAGUE AGAO AORG AMTC AIN ACCOUNT ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU AIDAC AINT ARCH AMGTKSUP ALAMI AMCHAMS ALJAZEERA AVIANFLU AORD AOREC ALIREZA AOMS AMGMT ABDALLAH AORCAE AHMED ACCELERATED AUC ALZUGUREN ANGEL AORL ASECIR AMG AMBASSADOR AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ADM ASES ABMC AER AMER ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AOPC ACS AFL AEGR ASED AFPREL AGRI AMCHAM ARNOLD AN ANATO AME APERTH ASECSI AT ACDA ASEDC AIT AMERICA AMLB AMGE ACTION AGMT AFINIZ ASECVE ADRC ABER AGIT APCS AEMED ARABBL ARC ASO AIAG ACEC ASR ASECM ARG AEC ABT ADIP ADCP ANARCHISTS AORCUN AOWC ASJA AALC AX AROC ARM AGENCIES ALBE AK AZE AOPR AREP AMIA ASCE ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI AINFCY ARMS ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AGRICULTURE AFPK AOCR ALEXANDER ATRD ATFN ABLG AORCD AFGHAN ARAS AORCYM AVERY ALVAREZ ACBAQ ALOWAR ANTOINE ABLDG ALAB AMERICAS AFAF ASECAFIN ASEK ASCC AMCT AMGTATK AMT APDC AEMRS ASECE AFSA ATRA ARTICLE ARENA AISG AEMRBC AFR AEIR ASECAF AFARI AMPR ASPA ASOC ANTONIO AORCL ASECARP APRM AUSTRALIAGROUP ASEG AFOR AEAID AMEDI ASECTH ASIC AFDIN AGUIRRE AUNR ASFC AOIC ANTXON ASA ASECCASC ALI AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN ASECKHLS ASSSEMBLY ASECVZ AI ASECPGOV ASIR ASCEC ASAC ARAB AIEA ADMIRAL AUSGR AQ AMTG ARRMZY ANC APR AMAT AIHRC AFU ADEL AECL ACAO AMEMR ADEP AV AW AOR ALL ALOUNI AORCUNGA ALNEA ASC AORCO ARMITAGE AGENGA AGRIC AEM ACOAAMGT AGUILAR AFPHUM AMEDCASCKFLO AFZAL AAA ATPDEA ASECPHUM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ETRD ETTC EU ECON EFIN EAGR EAID ELAB EINV ENIV ENRG EPET EZ ELTN ELECTIONS ECPS ET ER EG EUN EIND ECONOMICS EMIN ECIN EINT EWWT EAIR EN ENGR ES EI ETMIN EL EPA EARG EFIS ECONOMY EC EK ELAM ECONOMIC EAR ESDP ECCP ELN EUM EUMEM ECA EAP ELEC ECOWAS EFTA EXIM ETTD EDRC ECOSOC ECPSN ENVIRONMENT ECO EMAIL ECTRD EREL EDU ENERG ENERGY ENVR ETRAD EAC EXTERNAL EFIC ECIP ERTD EUC ENRGMO EINZ ESTH ECCT EAGER ECPN ELNT ERD EGEN ETRN EIVN ETDR EXEC EIAD EIAR EVN EPRT ETTF ENGY EAIDCIN EXPORT ETRC ESA EIB EAPC EPIT ESOCI ETRB EINDQTRD ENRC EGOV ECLAC EUR ELF ETEL ENRGUA EVIN EARI ESCAP EID ERIN ELAN ENVT EDEV EWWY EXBS ECOM EV ELNTECON ECE ETRDGK EPETEIND ESCI ETRDAORC EAIDETRD ETTR EMS EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EBRD EUREM ERGR EAGRBN EAUD EFI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ETRO ENRGY EGAR ESSO EGAD ENV ENER EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ELA EET EINVETRD EETC EIDN ERGY ETRDPGOV EING EMINCG EINVECON EURM EEC EICN EINO EPSC ELAP ELABPGOVBN EE ESPS ETRA ECONETRDBESPAR ERICKSON EEOC EVENTS EPIN EB ECUN EPWR ENG EX EH EAIDAR EAIS ELBA EPETUN ETRDEIQ EENV ECPC ETRP ECONENRG EUEAID EWT EEB EAIDNI ESENV EADM ECN ENRGKNNP ETAD ETR ECONETRDEAGRJA ETRG ETER EDUC EITC EBUD EAIF EBEXP EAIDS EITI EGOVSY EFQ ECOQKPKO ETRGY ESF EUE EAIC EPGOV ENFR EAGRE ENRD EINTECPS EAVI ETC ETCC EIAID EAIDAF EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EAOD ETRDA EURN EASS EINVA EAIDRW EON ECOR EPREL EGPHUM ELTM ECOS EINN ENNP EUPGOV EAGRTR ECONCS ETIO ETRDGR EAIDB EISNAR EIFN ESPINOSA EAIDASEC ELIN EWTR EMED ETFN ETT EADI EPTER ELDIN EINVEFIN ESS ENRGIZ EQRD ESOC ETRDECD ECINECONCS EAIT ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EUNJ ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ELAD EFIM ETIC EFND EFN ETLN ENGRD EWRG ETA EIN EAIRECONRP EXIMOPIC ERA ENRGJM ECONEGE ENVI ECHEVARRIA EMINETRD EAD ECONIZ EENG ELBR EWWC ELTD EAIDMG ETRK EIPR EISNLN ETEX EPTED EFINECONCS EPCS EAG ETRDKIPR ED EAIO ETRDEC ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ERNG EFINU EURFOR EWWI ELTNSNAR ETD EAIRASECCASCID EOXC ESTN EAIDAORC EAGRRP ETRDEMIN ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN ETRDEINVTINTCS EGHG EAIDPHUMPRELUG EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN EDA EPETPGOV ELAINE EUCOM EMW EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM ELB EINDETRD EMI ETRDECONWTOCS EINR ESTRADA EHUM EFNI ELABV ENR EMN EXO EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EATO END EP EINVETC ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EIQ ETTW EAI ENGRG ETRED ENDURING ETTRD EAIDEGZ EOCN EINF EUPREL ENRL ECPO ENLT EEFIN EPPD ECOIN EUEAGR EISL EIDE ENRGSD EINVECONSENVCSJA EAIG ENTG EEPET EUNCH EPECO ETZ EPAT EPTE EAIRGM ETRDPREL EUNGRSISAFPKSYLESO ETTN EINVKSCA ESLCO EBMGT ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EFLU ELND EFINOECD EAIDHO EDUARDO ENEG ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EFINTS ECONQH ENRGPREL EUNPHUM EINDIR EPE EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS EFINM ECRM EQ EWWTSP ECONPGOVBN
KFLO KPKO KDEM KFLU KTEX KMDR KPAO KCRM KIDE KN KNNP KG KMCA KZ KJUS KWBG KU KDMR KAWC KCOR KPAL KOMC KTDB KTIA KISL KHIV KHUM KTER KCFE KTFN KS KIRF KTIP KIRC KSCA KICA KIPR KPWR KWMN KE KGIC KGIT KSTC KACT KSEP KFRD KUNR KHLS KCRS KRVC KUWAIT KVPR KSRE KMPI KMRS KNRV KNEI KCIP KSEO KITA KDRG KV KSUM KCUL KPET KBCT KO KSEC KOLY KNAR KGHG KSAF KWNM KNUC KMNP KVIR KPOL KOCI KPIR KLIG KSAC KSTH KNPT KINL KPRP KRIM KICC KIFR KPRV KAWK KFIN KT KVRC KR KHDP KGOV KPOW KTBT KPMI KPOA KRIF KEDEM KFSC KY KGCC KATRINA KWAC KSPR KTBD KBIO KSCI KRCM KNNB KBNC KIMT KCSY KINR KRAD KMFO KCORR KW KDEMSOCI KNEP KFPC KEMPI KBTR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNPP KTTB KTFIN KBTS KCOM KFTN KMOC KOR KDP KPOP KGHA KSLG KMCR KJUST KUM KMSG KHPD KREC KIPRTRD KPREL KEN KCSA KCRIM KGLB KAKA KWWT KUNP KCRN KISLPINR KLFU KUNC KEDU KCMA KREF KPAS KRKO KNNC KLHS KWAK KOC KAPO KTDD KOGL KLAP KECF KCRCM KNDP KSEAO KCIS KISM KREL KISR KISC KKPO KWCR KPFO KUS KX KWCI KRFD KWPG KTRD KH KLSO KEVIN KEANE KACW KWRF KNAO KETTC KTAO KWIR KVCORR KDEMGT KPLS KICT KWGB KIDS KSCS KIRP KSTCPL KDEN KLAB KFLOA KIND KMIG KPPAO KPRO KLEG KGKG KCUM KTTP KWPA KIIP KPEO KICR KNNA KMGT KCROM KMCC KLPM KNNPGM KSIA KSI KWWW KOMS KESS KMCAJO KWN KTDM KDCM KCM KVPRKHLS KENV KCCP KGCN KCEM KEMR KWMNKDEM KNNPPARM KDRM KWIM KJRE KAID KWMM KPAONZ KUAE KTFR KIF KNAP KPSC KSOCI KCWI KAUST KPIN KCHG KLBO KIRCOEXC KI KIRCHOFF KSTT KNPR KDRL KCFC KLTN KPAOKMDRKE KPALAOIS KESO KKOR KSMT KFTFN KTFM KDEMK KPKP KOCM KNN KISLSCUL KFRDSOCIRO KINT KRG KWMNSMIG KSTCC KPAOY KFOR KWPR KSEPCVIS KGIV KSEI KIL KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KQ KEMS KHSL KTNF KPDD KANSOU KKIV KFCE KTTC KGH KNNNP KK KSCT KWNN KAWX KOMCSG KEIM KTSD KFIU KDTB KFGM KACP KWWMN KWAWC KSPA KGICKS KNUP KNNO KISLAO KTPN KSTS KPRM KPALPREL KPO KTLA KCRP KNMP KAWCK KCERS KDUM KEDM KTIALG KWUN KPTS KPEM KMEPI KAWL KHMN KCRO KCMR KPTD KCROR KMPT KTRF KSKN KMAC KUK KIRL KEM KSOC KBTC KOM KINP KDEMAF KTNBT KISK KRM KWBW KBWG KNNPMNUC KNOP KSUP KCOG KNET KWBC KESP KMRD KEBG KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPWG KOMCCO KRGY KNNF KPROG KJAN KFRED KPOKO KM KWMNCS KMPF KJWC KJU KSMIG KALR KRAL KDGOV KPA KCRMJA KCRI KAYLA KPGOV KRD KNNPCH KFEM KPRD KFAM KALM KIPRETRDKCRM KMPP KADM KRFR KMWN KWRG KTIAPARM KTIAEUN KRDP KLIP KDDEM KTIAIC KWKN KPAD KDM KRCS KWBGSY KEAI KIVP KPAOPREL KUNH KTSC KIPT KNP KJUSTH KGOR KEPREL KHSA KGHGHIV KNNR KOMH KRCIM KWPB KWIC KINF KPER KILS KA KNRG KCSI KFRP KLFLO KFE KNPPIS KQM KQRDQ KERG KPAOPHUM KSUMPHUM KVBL KARIM KOSOVO KNSD KUIR KWHG KWBGXF KWMNU KPBT KKNP KERF KCRT KVIS KWRC KVIP KTFS KMARR KDGR KPAI KDE KTCRE KMPIO KUNRAORC KHOURY KAWS KPAK KOEM KCGC KID KVRP KCPS KIVR KBDS KWOMN KIIC KTFNJA KARZAI KMVP KHJUS KPKOUNSC KMAR KIBL KUNA KSA KIS KJUSAF KDEV KPMO KHIB KIRD KOUYATE KIPRZ KBEM KPAM KDET KPPD KOSCE KJUSKUNR KICCPUR KRMS KWMNPREL KWMJN KREISLER KWM KDHS KRV KPOV KWMNCI KMPL KFLD KWWN KCVM KIMMITT KCASC KOMO KNATO KDDG KHGH KRF KSCAECON KWMEN KRIC
PREL PINR PGOV PHUM PTER PE PREF PARM PBTS PINS PHSA PK PL PM PNAT PHAS PO PROP PGOVE PA PU POLITICAL PPTER POL PALESTINIAN PHUN PIN PAMQ PPA PSEC POLM PBIO PSOE PDEM PAK PF PKAO PGOVPRELMARRMOPS PMIL PV POLITICS PRELS POLICY PRELHA PIRN PINT PGOG PERSONS PRC PEACE PROCESS PRELPGOV PROV PFOV PKK PRE PT PIRF PSI PRL PRELAF PROG PARMP PERL PUNE PREFA PP PGOB PUM PROTECTION PARTIES PRIL PEL PAGE PS PGO PCUL PLUM PIF PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PMUC PCOR PAS PB PKO PY PKST PTR PRM POUS PRELIZ PGIC PHUMS PAL PNUC PLO PMOPS PHM PGOVBL PBK PELOSI PTE PGOVAU PNR PINSO PRO PLAB PREM PNIR PSOCI PBS PD PHUML PERURENA PKPA PVOV PMAR PHUMCF PUHM PHUH PRELPGOVETTCIRAE PRT PROPERTY PEPFAR PREI POLUN PAR PINSF PREFL PH PREC PPD PING PQL PINSCE PGV PREO PRELUN POV PGOVPHUM PINRES PRES PGOC PINO POTUS PTERE PRELKPAO PRGOV PETR PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPKO PARLIAMENT PEPR PMIG PTBS PACE PETER PMDL PVIP PKPO POLMIL PTEL PJUS PHUMNI PRELKPAOIZ PGOVPREL POGV PEREZ POWELL PMASS PDOV PARN PG PPOL PGIV PAIGH PBOV PETROL PGPV PGOVL POSTS PSO PRELEU PRELECON PHUMPINS PGOVKCMABN PQM PRELSP PRGO PATTY PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PGVO PROTESTS PRELPLS PKFK PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PARAGRAPH PRELGOV POG PTRD PTERM PBTSAG PHUMKPAL PRELPK PTERPGOV PAO PRIVATIZATION PSCE PPAO PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PARALYMPIC PRUM PKPRP PETERS PAHO PARMS PGREL PINV POINS PHUMPREL POREL PRELNL PHUMPGOV PGOVQL PLAN PRELL PARP PROVE PSOC PDD PRELNP PRELBR PKMN PGKV PUAS PRELTBIOBA PBTSEWWT PTERIS PGOVU PRELGG PHUMPRELPGOV PFOR PEPGOV PRELUNSC PRAM PICES PTERIZ PREK PRELEAGR PRELEUN PHUME PHU PHUMKCRS PRESL PRTER PGOF PARK PGOVSOCI PTERPREL PGOVEAID PGOVPHUMKPAO PINSKISL PREZ PGOVAF PARMEUN PECON PINL POGOV PGOVLO PIERRE PRELPHUM PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PBST PKPAO PHUMHUPPS PGOVPOL PASS PPGOV PROGV PAGR PHALANAGE PARTY PRELID PGOVID PHUMR PHSAQ PINRAMGT PSA PRELM PRELMU PIA PINRPE PBTSRU PARMIR PEDRO PNUK PVPR PINOCHET PAARM PRFE PRELEIN PINF PCI PSEPC PGOVSU PRLE PDIP PHEM PRELB PORG PGGOC POLG POPDC PGOVPM PWMN PDRG PHUMK PINB PRELAL PRER PFIN PNRG PRED POLI PHUMBO PHYTRP PROLIFERATION PHARM PUOS PRHUM PUNR PENA PGOVREL PETRAEUS PGOVKDEM PGOVENRG PHUS PRESIDENT PTERKU PRELKSUMXABN PGOVSI PHUMQHA PKISL PIR PGOVZI PHUMIZNL PKNP PRELEVU PMIN PHIM PHUMBA PUBLIC PHAM PRELKPKO PMR PARTM PPREL PN PROL PDA PGOVECON PKBL PKEAID PERM PRELEZ PRELC PER PHJM PGOVPRELPINRBN PRFL PLN PWBG PNG PHUMA PGOR PHUMPTER POLINT PPEF PKPAL PNNL PMARR PAC PTIA PKDEM PAUL PREG PTERR PTERPRELPARMPGOVPBTSETTCEAIRELTNTC PRELJA POLS PI PNS PAREL PENV PTEROREP PGOVM PINER PBGT PHSAUNSC PTERDJ PRELEAID PARMIN PKIR PLEC PCRM PNET PARR PRELETRD PRELBN PINRTH PREJ PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEMEX PRELZ PFLP PBPTS PTGOV PREVAL PRELSW PAUM PRF PHUMKDEM PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PNUM PGGV PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PIND PTEP PTERKS PGOVJM PGOT PRELMARR PGOVCU PREV PREFF PRWL PET PROB PRELPHUMP PHUMAF PVTS PRELAFDB PSNR PGOVECONPRELBU PGOVZL PREP PHUMPRELBN PHSAPREL PARCA PGREV PGOVDO PGON PCON PODC PRELOV PHSAK PSHA PGOVGM PRELP POSCE PGOVPTER PHUMRU PINRHU PARMR PGOVTI PPEL PMAT PAN PANAM PGOVBO PRELHRC

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 85CAIRO6360, GROWING DEBATE ON SHARIA LAW

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #85CAIRO6360.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
85CAIRO6360 1985-03-08 12:08 2011-08-30 01:44 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy Cairo
R 081208Z MAR 85
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4143
INFO AMCONSUL ALEXANDRIA
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMCONSUL JEDDAH
AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY RIYADH
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV
AMEMBASSY TUNIS
COMSIXTHFLT
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
USINFO WASHDC
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CAIRO 06360 
 
E.O. 12356:  DECL: OADR 
TAGS: PGOV SOCI SHUM EG
SUBJECT:  GROWING DEBATE ON SHARIA LAW 
 
REF:  CAIRO 5284 
 
 
1.  (CONFIDENTIAL - ENTIRE TEXT.) 
 
2.  BEGIN SUMMARY.  MOMENTUM IS BEGINNING TO BUILD TOWARD 
A MAY DEBATE IN THE PEOPLES ASSEMBLY ON ISLAMIC SHARIA 
(KORANIC LAW).  IN RECENT DAYS, KEY OPPOSITION FIGURES 
FUAD SIRAJ AL-DIN (CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW WAFD PARTY) AND 
OMAR TALMASSANI (GENERAL GUIDE OF THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD) 
APPEARED BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY'S RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 
TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR PURGING OF EXISTING LEGISLATION 
NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SHARIA.  THE SPEAKER OF THE 
ASSEMBLY, RIFAAT EL MAHGOUB, WHILE SUPPORTING THE OVERALL 
OBJECTIVE, LEFT DELIBERATELY VAGUE THE TIMING AND EXTENT 
OF THE PURGE.  THE ADVOCATES DOUBTLESS KNOW THE PROCESS 
OF IMPLEMENTING "FULL SHARIA" WILL BE PROTRACTED; INDEED, 
MUBARAK IS PERCEIVED AS UNCOMPROMISING IN OPPOSITION TO 
"THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF SHARIA."  IN ADVANCE OF THE MAY 
DEBATE PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF, AND MANEUVERING ABOUT, SHARIA 
ISSUES IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.  END SUMMARY. 
 
3.  WE RECENTLY REPORTED AT LENGTH ON MUBARAK'S EVOLVING 
DEMOCRACY -- SEE CAIRO 5284.  THE EGYPTIAN PUBLIC IN THE 
LAST FEW DAYS HAS WITNESSED A REMARKABLE DEMONSTRATION 
OF THIS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION, AS WAFD PARTY CHAIRMAN FUAD 
SIRAJ AL-DIN AND MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD GENERAL GUIDE OMAR 
TALMASSANI BOTH ATTENDED HEARINGS OF THE PEOPLES ASSEMBLY 
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.  THEIR ATTENDANCE, PROMI- 
NENTLY REPORTED ON TELEVISION AND IN THE PRESS, WAS A 
SIGNAL OF RECONCILIATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT 
AND TWO OF THE CHIEF FOES OF FORMER PRESIDENTS NASSER 
AND SADAT. 
 
- 
4.  THE RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HEARINGS, ALSO 
ATTENDED BY SPEAKER RIFAAT EL MAHGOUB, A NUMBER OF 
AL-AZHAR SHEIKHS, AND OTHER ISLAMIC EXPERTS, ARE IN 
PREPARATION FOR A MAY ASSEMBLY DEBATE ON SHARIA (KORANIC) 
LAW.  MAHGOUB MADE CLEAR THE GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT FOR 
"PURGING" EXISTING LEGISLATION OF PROVISIONS IN CONFLICT 
WITH SHARIA, AND HE WAS ECHOED BY SIRAJ AL-DIN, 
TALMASSANI, AND OTHER OPPOSITION PARTY FIGURES.  THE 
SPEAKER, HOWEVER, WAS DELIBERATELY AMBIGUOUS ABOUT THE 
TIMING AND SPEED OF THE PURGE, AS WELL AS ABOUT HOW FAR 
IT WOULD GO IN CHANGING THE MYRIAD LAWS ON THE EGYPTIAN 
BOOKS.  THE EXCHANGES GAVE THE PUBLIC A TASTE OF MORE TO 
COME IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, EGYPTIAN STYLE, WHEREIN 
ALL SIDES CAN ADDRESS MAJOR ISLAMIC ISSUES LONG UNRESOLVED, 
BUT WITHOUT ANY CONCRETE RESULT LIKELY -- AT LEAST 
IMMEDIATELY. 
 
- 
5.  KEY QUESTIONS ARE OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE TO EGYPTIAN 
SOCIETY -- THE TREATMENT OF THE COPTIC CHRISTIAN MINORITY 
IF SHARIA LAW IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED; POSSIBLE CHANGES IN 
THE STATUS OF WOMEN; THE IMPACT OF ABOLITION OF BANKING 
INTEREST ON THE ECONOMY; THE EFFECTS ON TOURISM OF BANNING 
ALCOHOL; WESTERN REACTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ISLAMIC PUN- 
ISHMENTS SUCH AS AMPUTATION, FLOGGING, AND STONING (EVEN 
IF SPARINGLY APPLIED).  FEW OBSERVERS EXPECT THESE DIF- 
FICULT ISSUES UNDERLYING THE SHARIA DEBATE TO BE RESOLVED 
IN THE ASSEMBLY DISCUSSIONS IN MAY.  THOUGH THEY CANNOT 
SAY SO PUBLICLY, OPPOSITION FIGURES LIKE SIRAJ AL-DIN AND 
TALMASSANI ACKNOWLEDGE PRIVATELY THAT THE SHARIA DEBATE 
WILL ONLY BE THE BEGINNING OF A LONG UNCERTAIN PROCESS. 
INDEED, NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND OPPOSITION OBSERV- 
ERS BELIEVE THAT MUBARAK WILL NOT COMPROMISE IN HIS OP- 
POSITION TO "THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF SHARIA," BECAUSE 
THE SOCIAL, SECTARIAN, AND INTERNATIONAL COSTS ARE TOO 
HIGH.  WHAT MARGINAL COMPROMISES, IF ANY, HE MAY CONCEDE 
 
- 
6.  MEANWHILE, HAPPENINGS ON OTHER FRONTS ARE BOTH 
PROVOKING AND REENFORCING PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ISLAMIC 
SHARIA ISSUES.  HANDLING OF SUCH DISPARATE SUBJECTS AS 
OPPOSITION POLITICAL ALLIANCES, PUNISHMENT OF RAPE, AND 
WOMEN'S RIGHTS INCREASINGLY FEED THE DEBATE.  TO WIT: 
 
--  ONE OF THE STRONGEST PROPONENTS OF SHARIA, SHEIKH 
SALAH ABU ISMAIL, WAS HASTILY EXPELLED FROM THE NEW WAFD 
OPPOSITION PARTY AFTER CRITICIZING SIRAJ AL-DIN FOR NOT 
PUSHING SHARIA HARD ENOUGH.  MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD GUIDE 
TALMASSANI TURNED HIS BACK ON THE OUTSPOKEN SHEIKH AND 
HAS MAINTAINED THE MB'S ALLIANCE WITH THE WAFD. 
TALMASSANI OBSERVED TO POLCOUNS AND POLOFF MARCH 5 THAT 
THE SHEIKH SOMETIMES SPEAKS OUT BEFORE HE CONSIDERS ALL 
THE CONSEQUENCES; SHEIKH SALAH WAS NOW IN THE PROCESS 
OF MAKING PEACE WITH THE WAFD (THOUGH NOTHING WAS SAID 
ABOUT HIS BEING RETURNED TO THE PARTY). 
 
--  SHARIA PROPONENTS HAVE BEEN LOUDLY CALLING FOR THE 
EXECUTION OF OFFENDERS IN SEVERAL NOTORIOUS KIDNAP/RAPE 
INCIDENTS IN RECENT WEEKS.  THE OPPOSITION PRESS IS 
GIVING FULL PUBLICITY TO THIS EVIDENCE OF EROSION IN 
TRADITIONAL EGYPTIAN SOCIAL MORES.  PUBLIC FEELING IS 
RUNNING HIGH IN CAIRO, AMIDST CHARGES THAT OFFENDERS 
HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOFT TREATMENT IN THE COURTS.  SOME 
CRITICS, IN THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR SEVERE "ISLAMIC" 
PUNISHMENT OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT EXECUTION FOR KIDNAP/RAPE 
IS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE PRESENT LEGAL CODE.  (MANY ALSO 
ARE NOW SAYING THAT AMERICAN-MADE TV FILMS ABOUT VIOLENCE 
AND CRIME AVAILABLE ON EGYPTIAN TELEVISION ARE CORRUPTING 
THE YOUTH.) 
 
--  THE MINISTER OF AWQAF (ISLAMIC ENDOWMENTS) AND THE 
CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSEMBLY'S COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE HAVE GONE 
PUBLIC WITH DEMANDS TO AMEND THE LAW OF PERSONAL STATUS -- 
SO THAT SHARIA PROVISIONS REGARDING DIVORCE AND PROPERTY 
EOULD AGAIN BE ENFORCED.  THE LAW, PASSED UNDER THE LATE 
PRESIDENT SADAT AND INFORMALLY NAMED THE "JEHAN LAW" 
AFTER HIS WIFE, GAVE THE WIFE THE RIGHT FOR THE FIRST 
TIME TO INITIATE DIVORCE IF HER HUSBAND MARRIED A SECOND 
WIFE; THE LAW ALSO GAVE A DIVORCED WIFE FIRST RIGHTS TO 
THE HOUSEHOLD UNTIL SHE IS PROVIDED EQUIVALENT QUARTERS. 
TODAY, IMPORTANT SHEIKHS, WHO IN 1979 TRIMMED THEIR 
INTERPRETATIONS TO SUIT "WOMEN'S RIGHTS" PUSHED BY SADAT 
AND HIS WIFE, HAVE BEGUN TACKING TOWARD A MORE LITERAL 
INTERPRETATION OF SHARIA. 
 
7.  AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF GROWING SHARIA DISCUSSIONS, 
THE STATE AUTHORITIES     IN RECENT WEEKS HAVE BEEN ACTIVE 
AGAINST FRINGE ELEMENTS OF THE POLITICO-RELIGIOUS SPECTRUM. 
 
--  AT CAIRO'S AL-NUR MOSQUE, A MAGNET FOR ISLAMIC HARD- 
LINERS IN THE CAPITAL, RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS (SOME FROM 
AL-JIHAD, SOME FOR AL-HIDAIYA AL-ISLAMIYA) HAVE BEEN 
PICKED UP ON THREE SUCCESSIVE WEEKENDS FOLLOWING FRIDAY 
PRAYERS -- FOR DISTRIBUTING LEAFLETS WHOSE CONTENTS HAVE 
NOT BEEN REPORTED.  NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN PLACED, AND THE 
DETAINEES RELEASED UPON PAYMENT OF TOKEN FINES.  SIMILAR 
ACTIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED (BUT NOT DETAILED) IN THE 
UNIVERSITY TOWNS OF MINYA AND ASSIUT AGAINST FORMER 
DEFENDANTS FREED LAST OCTOBER IN THE PROLONGED TRIAL OF 
THOSE CHARGED IN THE ARMED REVOLT FOLLOWING SADAT'S 1981 
ASSASSINATION. (BEHIND THE SCENES THE MINISTRY OF AWQAF 
SEEMS TO BE STRUGGLING TO EXERCISE SUPERVISION OVER AL-NUR, 
WHOSE LEADING SHEIKH IS STILL DENIED THE PULPIT.  IN THE 
LATTER SADAT YEARS, AL-NUR MOSQUE DREW UP TO THIRTY 
THOUSAND WORSHIPPERS ON FRIDAYS TO LISTEN TO ANTI-SADAT 
SERMONS.) 
 
--  IN ALEXANDRIA, A "CRAZY DOCTOR" WAS ARRESTED ALONG 
WITH 30 OR SO FOLLOWERS; HE CLAIMED TO BE THE PROPHET 
MOHAMED, AND HAPPENED TO HAVE ONE MILLION DOLLARS PLUS 
IN HIS BANK ACCOUNT.  NO CHARGES HAVE YET BEEN FILED. 
 
--  IN LATE FEBRUARY, SOME 40 BAHAIS WERE ARRESTED FOR 
VIOLATING A 1960 NASSER DECREE (STILL IN EFFECT) OUTLAWING 
BAHAI ACTIVITIES IN EGYPT.  AN AL-AZHAR UNDERSECRETARY 
SENT DOCUMENTS TO THE STATE SECURITY PROSECUTOR SHOWING 
THAT THE BAHAIS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CONSIDERED "APOSTATES" 
FROM ISLAM.  (THE BAHAIS HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN RELEASED 
WITHOUT CHARGES AND ARE PRESENTLY REMAINING IN THEIR 
HOMES.  SEE CAIRO 06100.) 
- 
--  ON FEBRUARY 26 TALMASSANI WAS SUDDENTLY (AND WITH- 
OUT EXPLANATION) FORBIDDEN ACCESS TO CAIRO UNIVERSITY. 
HE HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO ADDRESS A MEETING AT THE COM- 
MERCE COLLEGE, AT THE INVITATION OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL. 
PERMISSION WAS IN WRITING, AND STAMPED BY THE VICE 
CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE.  HOWEVER, HE TOLD POLCOUNS AT 9:30 
ON THE MORNING OF THE SPEECH, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE 
PERMISSION HAD BEEN WITHDRAWN.  THE STUDENT DEMONSTRA- 
TION FOLLOWED (SEE CAIRO 5919).  TALMASSANI CRITICIZED 
THE DECISION TO US, NOTING THAT THE STUDENT COUNCIL HAD 
A "MODERATE" ISLAMIC MAJORITY (SUPPORTED BY MUSLIM 
BROTHERHOOD) AND THAT HIS APPEARANCE WOULD HAVE PACIFIED - 
NOT INCITED - THE STUDENTS. 
 
- 
8.  COMMENT:  THESE MOVES REPRESENT THE GOVERNMENT'S 
POLISHING OF ITS OWN ISLAMIC CREDENTIALS (IN THE CASES 
OF THE BAHAIS AND ALEXANDRIA'S DERANGED PROPHET), AND 
SETTING LIMITS FOR ACCEPTABLE POLITICAL/RELIGIOUS BE- 
HAVIOR (IN THE CASE OF AL-NUR MOSQUEAND THE BANNING 
OF TALMASSANI'S UNIVERSITY SPEECH.) AS FOR THE INCIPIENT 
DEBATE IN THE ASSEMBLY AND PRESS ON SHARIA, IT IS AT THIS 
STAGE MORE SHADOW THAN SUBSTANCE; BUT IT IS NONETHELESS 
AN IMPORTANT REFLECTION OF THE MOOD OF THE SOCIETY.  PRO- 
FOUND SOCIAL ISSUES ARE INVOLVED.  THE GOAL OF "SECULAR- 
ISTS" WHO RUN THE GOVERNMENT IS TO ENCOMPASS MODERATE 
ISLAMIC ELEMENTS WITHIN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM, UNDERCUT- 
TING EXTREMISM WHILE PREVENTING THE ADOPTION OF THE COM- 
PLETE IMPLEMENTATION OF SHARIA.  THE ISLAMIC SIDE, WHICH 
INCLUDES THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AND TO SOME EXTENT THE 
WAFD, PLUS MAINSTREAM MUSLIM LEADERS FROM AL-AZHAR AND 
THE MINISTRY OF AWQAF, HOPES TO USE THE DEMOCRATIC 
PROCESS TO BUILD UP AN IRREVERSIBLE MOMENTUM TOWARD 
SHARIA.  BOTH SIDES AT PRESENT ARE KEEN TO MAINTAIN THE 
STABILITY OF EGYPTIAN SOCIETY, THOUGH MISMANAGEMENT OF 
THE SHARIA ISSUE COULD CREATE SERIOUS TENSIONS.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
 
PRECHT