Hundreds of Libyan Muslims rallied to demand the application of Islamic law in the Libyan government system. The demand was a response to the emergence of secular political forces in Libya after the Muammar Gaddafi regime.
The demonstration was held on Friday (20/1) by an Islamic political group. They gathered in several separate places, including the Tripoli Square, eastern Benghazi and Sabha in the southern part of the country.
On the Algiers Square in Tripoli, mobs burned the "Green Book", a handbook compiled by Gaddafi on politics, economics and daily life, to insist that the Koran should be the main source of regulation in the country.
Protest participants are known to come from influential Islamic movement groups, namely the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis.
The protesters gave a brief snapshot of Libya's political future, at a time when Islamic and secular parties are expected to compete for seats in the National Assembly, whose members are scheduled to be elected in June to draft a constitution for the North African nation.
Many experts argue, the Muslim Brotherhood is the most well-organized political force and can emerge as a major political player in Libya after Gaddafi. They were severely oppressed during Gaddafi's 42 years of authoritarian rule.
The leader of the National Transitional Council (NTC) that rules Libya, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, in October promised to enforce sharia law.
"We, as Muslims have accepted sharia as a source of law, so that any laws that are contrary to Islamic teachings are legally nullified," he said. (Mel / Reuters / Antara / ddhongkong.org). *
