Syrian Rebel Commander Ahmad ‘Issa:’ We demand that the state’s sole source of authority be Islam. No desire to establish democracy

By: American Decency Staff

Interviewer: In some Islamic emirates in the course of history – I could mention the Abbasid caliphate, for example, and Andalusia, Christians and Jews held ministerial posts, and even the position of prime minister. What is your position on a Christian becoming a minister, for example?

Ahmad 'Issa: We will have three preconditions for joining the government. The first is that Islam must be the single source of authority of the state. We are not infringing upon the rights of others – this is our right, because 85% of the Syrians are Sunni Muslims.

[…]

We demand that the president and parliament speaker be Sunni Muslims, and that the state's sole source of authority be Islam. Beyond that, you can call it a constitutional state, a parliamentary state, a monarchy, a republic – whatever you like.

Interviewer: You would not object to a Christian becoming a minister, for example?

Ahmad 'Issa: Our only concerns are the head of state and the state's source of authority.

Interviewer: Would you object to a Christian becoming head of state?

Ahmad 'Issa: Yes, we would not accept that.

[…]

Interviewer: What is your position with regard to democracy?

Ahmad 'Issa: We are talking about a state of justice and truth. We want the people to be ruled by an infallible law – the law of Allah. We do not want people to be ruled by man-made laws.

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