State And Society

Chapter 1: Political principles

Article 1

Nature of the Republic, and of the Egyptian people

The Arab Republic of Egypt is an independent sovereign state, united and indivisible,and its system is democratic. The Egyptian people are part of the Arab and Islamicnations, are proud of belonging to the Nile Valley, to the African continent and toAsia. The Egyptian people contribute to human civilization.

Article 2: Religion, language and source of legislation

Islam is the religion of the state and Arabic is its official language. The principles ofIslamic Sharia are the principal source of legislation.

Article 3: Christian and Jewish religious affairs

The principles of Christian and Jewish laws are the main source of legislation forfollowers of Christianity and Judaism in matters pertaining to personal status,religious affairs and nomination of spiritual leaders.

Article 4: Al-Azhar

Al-Azhar is an encompassing independent Islamic institution, with exclusivecompetence over its own affairs. It is responsible for preaching Islam, theology andthe Arabic language in Egypt and throughout the world. Al-Azhar’s Council of SeniorScholars is to be consulted in matters relating to Islamic Sharia.

The state ensures sufficient funds for Al-Azhar to achieve its objectives.

Article 5: Sovereignty

Sovereignty belongs to the people. The people exercise and protect sovereignty, andsafeguard their national unity. The people are the source of power. This is asprovided in this Constitution.

Article 6: Democratic principles

The political system is based on the principles of democracy and consultation,citizenship (under which all citizens are equal in rights and public duties), politicaland multi-party pluralism, the peaceful transfer of power, the separation and balanceof powers, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and freedoms. All of theforegoing is as provided in the Constitution.

It is prohibited to form a political party that discriminates between citizens, whetheron the basis of gender, origin or religion.

Article 7: The duty to safeguard national security andconscription

Safeguarding national security, defending the motherland and protecting its soil is anhonour and a sacred duty. Conscription is obligatory and is organized by law.

Chapter 2: Social and ethical principles

Article 8: Social justice, equality and freedom

The state guarantees the means to achieve justice, equality and freedom, and iscommitted to facilitating the channels of charity, social support and solidaritybetween members of society. The state ensures the protection of persons, dignityand property, and works toward achieving sufficiency for all citizens. The foregoingis within the limits of the law.

Article 9: Safety, security and equal opportunity for all

The state commits to ensuring safety, security and equal opportunity for all citizenswithout discrimination.

Article 10: Family as a basis of society

The family is the basis of society and is based on religion, morality and patriotism.

The state and society oversee the commitment to the genuine character of theEgyptian family, its cohesion and stability, and the consolidation and protection of itsmoral values. The foregoing is as organised by law.

The state guarantees maternal and child services free of charge, and guarantees thereconciliation between the duties of a woman toward her family and her work.

The state provides special care and protection to breadwinning and divorced womenas well as widows.

Article 11: Ethics, public morality and public order

The state safeguards ethics, public morality and public order, a high level ofeducation and of religious and patriotic values, scientific knowledge, Arab culture,and the historical and cultural heritage of the people. The foregoing is in accordancewith the law.

Article 12: Cultural and linguistic characteristics of society

The state protects the cultural and linguistic characteristics of society, and workstowards the Arabization of education, science and knowledge.

Article 13: Institution of civil titles

The institution of civil titles is prohibited.

Chapter 3: Economic Principles

Article 14: The National economy

The national economy aims to achieve a comprehensive, sustainable developmentplan, improve living standards, achieve prosperity, eliminate poverty andunemployment, increase work opportunities, production and gross national product.

The development plan works to establish social justice and cooperation, to ensureequitable distribution, to protect consumer rights, and to safeguard the rights of workers. The development plan works towards ensuring that capital and labor sharethe burden of development costs, and the equitable distribution of revenue.

Wages are linked to production, the income gap shall be bridged, a minimum wagethat guarantees a decent standard of living for all citizens shall be established, and amaximum wage in civil service positions is established with exceptions regulated bylaw.

Article 15: Agriculture

Agriculture is an essential asset of the national economy. The state commits toprotecting and increasing farmland, and works to develop crop and plant varieties, todevelop and protect animal breeds and fisheries, to achieve food security, to providethe requirements of agricultural production, its good management and marketing,and support agricultural industries.

The law organizes the use of state land, in such a way as to achieve social justice, andprotect farmers and agricultural labour from exploitation.

Article 16: Development of the countryside and of thedesert

The state is committed to the development of the countryside and the desert, andworks to raise the standard of living of farmers and inhabitants of the desert.

Article 17: Industry

Industry is an essential component of the national economy. The state protectsstrategic industries, support industrial development, and ensures the nationaladoption of new technologies and their implementation.

The state fosters small and handicraft industries.

Article 18: Natural resources and the disposition of stateproperty

The state’s natural resources belong to the people, who have a right to theirrevenues. The state commits to preserving such resources, to their soundexploitation, and to take into consideration the rights of future generations.

It is prohibited to dispose of state property, or to grant the right to privilege toexploit such property, or to grant a concession to a public utility, except as permittedby law.

All capital that does not have an owner belongs to the state.

Article 19: The Nile River and water resources

The Nile River and water resources are a national wealth. The state is committed toconserving and developing them, and preventing abuse. The use of such resources isorganized by law.

Article 20: The protection of coasts, seas and waterways

The state commits to protecting its coasts, seas, waterways and lakes, to maintainingmonuments and nature reserves, and to removing any encroachments.

Article 21: The ownership of property

The state guarantees and protects the legitimate ownership of all kinds of public,cooperative and private property and endowments, in accordance with what the laworganises.

Article 22: The inviolability of public funds

Public funds are inviolable and the state and society have a national duty tosafeguard them.

Article 23: Cooperatives

The state sponsors and supports cooperatives in all forms and guarantees theirindependence.

Article 24: Private property

Private property is protected and has a function in the service of the nationaleconomy without deviation or monopoly. The right to inherit property is guaranteed.Private property may not be sequestrated except in cases specified by law, and witha court order. Ownership of property may not be confiscated except for the publicgood and with just compensation paid in advance.

The foregoing is organized by law.

Article 25: Charitable endowments

The state is committed to reviving and encouraging the system of charitableendowments.

The law organizes endowments, the manner in which they are established, themanagement of its finances, their investments and the distribution of proceeds tothe beneficiaries, according to the terms of the trustee.

Article 26: Taxation

Social justice is the foundation of taxation and other public finance duties.

ublic taxes cannot be established, modified or cancelled except by law. There canbe no exemptions except in cases prescribed by law. It is prohibited to requireanyone to pay additional taxes or fees except within the limits of the law.

Article 27: Workers’ share in management

Workers will share in the management and profits of enterprises. They arecommitted to the development of production, to protecting its means and to theimplementation of its strategy in their production units, in accordance with the law.

Workers’ representatives may constitute up to 50 percent of the members of theboards of directors of public sector units. The law guarantees that small farmers andsmall craftsmen’s representatives should constitute no less than 80 percent of theboards of directors of agricultural and industrial cooperatives.