Dialogues of constitutional amendments approach the final stage through starting the stage final formulation according to the results of discussions in the People's Assembly (PA) and Shura Council and the general dialogue through the hearing sessions in the political street in order to be submitted to the PA then to be offered for the public referendum.

We have to throw light on this experiment in order to make lessons which benefit us in continuing marsh of political work. Its main features came as follows:

First: Offering said amendments for dialogue is a result of an experiment representing a development in the Egyptian political life. President Mubarak called for amending 34 articles of constitution in implementation of the electoral program in which he promised many constitutional and political reforms.

Second: It may represent the first time in history of the Egyptian political life to hold such dialogue on forming or amending a constitution as all previous constitutions, and amendments therein, were not the result of an expanded dialogue like that we are witnessing in Egypt since amendment of Article 76 of Constitution.

Third: The last dialogue put the constitution in an unprecedented place in the social conscience where large portions of society became aware of the position and importance of constitution as well as its relation with the social and political life.

Fourth: The dialogue on the constitutional amendments exceeds the articles offered for amendment and tackled many issues expressing desire of society with its different trends to expand the circle of dialogue as well as circle of amendments.

Fifth: The experiment of dialogue led all Egyptians to place interest of the country above all considerations. We must continue this experiment and learn how to respect opinion of majority and opinion of people during referendum to the constitution.

Sixth: The dialogue exceeded, through the social and political thinking, relation between religion and political activity showing ability of the Egyptian society to go on in the right path.

Lessons of said dialogue will remain in our national consciences in order to make use of them in the coming democratic practices. We must believe that the constructive dialogue represents a cornerstone in the democratic development in building a strong and contemporary Egypt.

El Ahram
By: Osama Saraya
2/3/2007