Egypt’s Parliament names Constituent Assembly members

Egypt’s People’s Assembly Speaker Saad al-Katatny on Sunday announced the names of the 100 members of the constituent assembly elected by Parliament to write Egypt’s new constitution. Half of the members of the constitution-writing assembly have been elected from the Parliament’s upper and lower houses and the remaining half from outside it. Al-Katatny made the announcement following a joint meeting of members of Parliament at the International Conference Centre in Nasr City, Cairo. Independent MP Mostafa Bakry, who supervised the vote-counting process, said the election was conducted in a "quiet atmosphere and was characterised by integrity." “This is an historic day for Egypt. We have taken the first steps on the road to writing the constitution,” Katatny said. “Since the first day, we have pledged not to be biased to a certain opinion. We will not accept giving up on democracy and popular participation.” He said the constituent assembly’s first meeting will be held on March 28 at 10 am at the People’s Assembly. The Assembly includes 50 percent of its members from the parliament, amongst the most notable names are: Saad al-Katatny, the People’s Assembly speaker. Mahmoud al-Khodairy, head of the People’s Assembly Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee. Mohamed Abdel Alim Dawoud and Ashraf Thabet, the People’s Assembly deputy speakers. Essam Sultan, head of the Wasat Party. Hussein Mohamed Ibrahim, majority bloc leader. Amr al-Shobaky, an independent MP. Essam al-Erian, prominent member of the Freedom and Justice Party. Waheed Abdel Maguid, leader of the Democratic Alliance led by the Muslim Brotherhood. Amr Hamzawy, an independent MP. Meanwhile the most notable names outside the parliament include: Nasr Farid Wassel, former grand mufti. Mohamed Emara, Islamic thinker. Hossam al-Gheriany, head of the Supreme Judicial Council. Farouk Gouida, a poet. Sameh Ashour, Lawyers Syndicate chief Moataz Abdel Fattah, a political science professor. Nader Bakkar, spokesperson for the Salafi Nour Party. Abdel Hady al-Qassaby, head of the Supreme Council of Sufi Orders Mamdouh al-Waly, head of the Journalists Syndicate. Ashraf Abdel Ghafour, an artist Ahmed Harara, a political activist. Parliament members from the Free Egyptians Party, the Revolution Continues Coalition and the Egyptian Social Democratic Party abandoned talks Saturday about the selection of the 100 members of the constituent assembly that will draft a new constitution. Liberal and secular powers had generally expressed fears that Parliament’s Islamist majority would dominate the assembly. Meanwhile, dozens of demonstrators, including several high-profile figures, protested Saturday against the composition of the assembly. Protesters demanded an assembly representative from all segments of society.