FJP 2011 parliamentary election program

First: Characteristics of the state:
The State envisaged in our program is the national constitutional Islamic modern democracy, based on Sharia (Islamic law) as a frame of reference. By its nature, Sharia nurtures aspects of faith, worship and morality, and also regulates various aspects of life for Muslims and their non-Muslim partners in the homeland. However, in some (few) cases, Sharia regulates these aspects through definitive texts with direct relevance and significance. It can also regulate through general rules and principles, leaving details for interpretation and legislation as suits different times and environments, in the service of justice, righteousness and the interests of the homeland and citizens. This is to be entrusted to legislative councils, while the Supreme Constitutional Court is charged with monitoring the constitutionality of resulting legislation. Meanwhile, non-Muslims have the right to refer to their own rules and laws in the fields of family and religious affairs. This State is responsible for the protection of freedom of belief and worship as well as places of worship for non-Muslims just as it protects Islam, Islamic affairs and mosques. Therefore, the most important characteristics of this State are:
A. The State is based on the principle of citizenship, where all citizens enjoy equal rights and duties guaranteed by law in accordance with the principles of equality and equal opportunities without discrimination because of religion or race.
B. The State is a constitutional one based on three pillars: the legislature, the judiciary and the executive authority. Each of these works in a differentiated, integrated and co-ordinated manner all at the same time, allowing distribution of responsibilities and authority, in order to prevent monopoly of those by any single entity. This constitutional State must preserve the rule of law by extending and strengthening the rule of the judiciary, safeguarding its independence and working to implement its decisions and provisions, in addition to ensuring that state authorities are subject to and regulated by the law. Any action by public authorities taken in violation of the Constitution and/or the law is considered void and requires accountability questioning.
C. The State is Democratic, based on the Shura (consultation) principles, which the FJP believes are essential for the foundation of the state with all its institutions. Shura is not merely a political principle governing only the forms of political relations. Indeed, it is a pattern of behaviour and a general approach to managing the various aspects of life in the State, in addition to being a frame of work for faith and a moral guide for the behaviour of individuals and their social relations.
D. The State is civil and civilian, for the Islamic State is civilian in nature. It is not a military state ruled by armed forces who get in power by military coups, and it is not ruled like a dictatorship, nor is it a police state controlled by the security forces, nor is it a theocracy - governed by the clergy or by Divine Right. There are no infallible people who can monopolise the interpretation of the Holy Koran and have exclusive right to legislation for the nation and are characterised by Holiness. In fact, the rulers in the Islamic state are citizens elected according to the will of the people; and the nation is the source of authority. The basis of appointment to all positions and functions in the State is competence, experience and the honesty. And just as it is the nation's right to choose its ruler, legislators and representatives, it also has the right to question them and hold them accountable, to dismiss and replace them.
Second: The nature of the political system:
Our program deems the parliamentary system (in the long term) is the most appropriate to the circumstances of the country, as it is based on flexible separation between the authorities, with cooperation and balance between the executive and legislative branches. In this system, the President is the head of the State but does not rule, and the Prime Minister carries the responsibility of government, besides Parliament.