Analysis of Is Egypt a Secular or a Religious State Article by Hussein A. Agrama - Assignment Example

Egypt seems not to be a place for theorizing on about the modern secularity. The concept raises many questionings following the current state of Egypt. Does secularism incessantly blur together politics and religion? Does secularism power rely crucially upon the precariousness categories it establishes? Is Egypt still a religious or a secular state? The decision of hisba demonstrates the blurring of politics and religion. First, hisba turn out to be a coercive, public power that may potentially punish individuals for holding to religious practices and beliefs; thus, violating liberal secular prescriptions for the religion’s good boundaries.

Second, the subsequent legislation and the courts articulate hisba differently from how it is elaborated classically in the Islamic shari’a (Agrama 498). Shari’a aims at cultivating and securing certain moral values. But, the court judgments along with legislation hisba get articulated as a legal practice that connects with the protection of public order, public interest, religious beliefs, and public order. Thus, explaining why it is hard to know if the country is a religious or secular state (Agrama 515).

The country is gradually abandoning its religion and adopting secularism following the introduction of different laws. Thus, it is not concluded if it is still a religious or a secular state.