Egyptians divided on new constitution
- 12 years ago
Egypt's new constitution - the source of deep rifts in the country over the last few weeks.
Tuesday's announcement that the country had approved the new document by 63.8 percent in a referendum continued to divide Egyptians.
The charter, drawn up by President Mohamed Mursi's Islamist allies, had been denounced by secular and liberal groups who say it mixes politics and religion dangerously and ignores minority rights.
But Mursi told voters that approving the constitution quickly was vital to end two years of political and economic uncertainty.
This man says he agrees with the president and the 'yes' vote will create stability and attract new investment so the country can begin to move forward.
But others say that divisions around the text don't bode well.
"When more than one third don't agree, there won't be any stability or new investment", this man says.
This woman says the 'yes' vote came at the expense of national unity and there is now little difference between the Muslim Brotherhood and ousted President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party.
"We are very sad - we never wanted just one political group to rule," she says.
About a third of the electorate voted in the two-day referendum held this month.
The 'yes' vote paves the way for a parliamentary election in about two months time.
Tuesday's announcement that the country had approved the new document by 63.8 percent in a referendum continued to divide Egyptians.
The charter, drawn up by President Mohamed Mursi's Islamist allies, had been denounced by secular and liberal groups who say it mixes politics and religion dangerously and ignores minority rights.
But Mursi told voters that approving the constitution quickly was vital to end two years of political and economic uncertainty.
This man says he agrees with the president and the 'yes' vote will create stability and attract new investment so the country can begin to move forward.
But others say that divisions around the text don't bode well.
"When more than one third don't agree, there won't be any stability or new investment", this man says.
This woman says the 'yes' vote came at the expense of national unity and there is now little difference between the Muslim Brotherhood and ousted President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party.
"We are very sad - we never wanted just one political group to rule," she says.
About a third of the electorate voted in the two-day referendum held this month.
The 'yes' vote paves the way for a parliamentary election in about two months time.