Afghanistan: The draft of the constitution should proclaim Islam the religion of the State
According to the Vatican agency Fides, the draft of the constitution announced in Kabul at the beginning of November 2003 allows no more religious freedom than the Taliban regime which fell on September 11 2001. Within Christian circles especially, people hope that western diplomats will exercise pressure and ask that an authentic freedom of worship be recognized by the new constitution.
This latter will be debated in the Afghan parliament on December 10. The draft establishes Islam as the State religion, but makes clear that the other religions will be granted freedom of worship. It remains to be seen, observers on the spot point out, what is meant by freedom of worship - in particular, will the authorities allow the building of a church outside of the premises of an embassy?
