People of Benghazi insist on Sharia

More than 200 men from Benghazi staged a demonstration on Friday insisting that Islamic sharia law must be the basis of legislation in newly liberated Libya.The Koran is the basis, and our constitution must be based on sharia, shouted the men as they gathered in Freedom Square, the site of the initial protests against the now slain Moamer Kadhafis 42-year rule.On Sunday, interim Libyan leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil said during a speech in Benghazi to formally declare the countrys liberation from the ousted regime, that sharia would be Libyas principal law.Any law that violates sharia is null and void legally, he said, citing as an example the law on marriage passed during the slain dictators tenure that imposed restrictions on polygamy, which is permitted in Islam.Abdel Jalils comments have provoked criticism and calls for restraint internationally amid fears that the Arab Spring may give rise to a potentially intolerant Islamist resurgence. But Benghazi men were adamant on Friday.We are a Muslim country and our constitution must reflect our religious beliefs. There is nothing above our religious beliefs, said Ahmed al-Moghrabi, a prayer leader at a local Benghazi mosque, who was among 200-300 people who rallied in support of sharia.He said Libya was not concerned what Western countries feel about sharia. Our revolution was carried out by our boys not the West. We dont look at the West. We do what we want to do, he said as crowds behind him chanted Allahu Akbar (God is greatest).Some men said sharia will also benefit women in Libya. In Libya there are many women who are in their 30s and 40s and still unmarried. They will have a stable future, said Ali Hamid al-Feturi, a civil engineer attending the demonstration.There are also thousands of widows who lost their husbands while fighting Kadhafis troops. They too can start their lives again if we have the sharia law.Organisers of the demonstration said the rally was held to back the National Transitional Council, the interim ruling body, in implementing Islamic law.It is only to remind people that we are a Muslim country and sharia is the law to be followed, said Dr Sabri Ali, one of the organisers. Under Kadhafi we did not follow it officially, but in our homes we still had it. So our women too are used to it, Ali added.