Sāmih ‘Abd Allāh writes in his opinion article (al-Ahrām, p.4, Feb. 24 2011) that a secular country from a European perspective calls for separating religion from the country, and Egyptian society is not yet ready for that.

Separating religion from the country will affect the civil status law(s), which means that an issue like inheritance won't be based on religion.

The solution, from the author’s point of view, is to have something in between: a country ruled by a regime that derives its authority from the people in democratic ways; in addition, a secular country that doesn't give authority to men of religion but respects religions.

He adds, if the constitution considers Islamic sharī‘ah a source of legislation, [Reviewer's Note: the constitution considers Islam to be the principal source of legislation, and it is this use of the definite article that has always been the focus of debate around the issue] then a part could be added which is "to respect all divine sharī‘ahs...,including Christianity.