Libya’s lurch toward Shariah sends chill through Christian community

Libya’s lurch toward Shariah sends chill through Christian community
Libya’s recent edict that its coming constitution will be based on Shariah law has sent a chill through the North African nation’s small Christian community. Libya’s Coptic Christians, who number about 300,000, or 5 percent of the population, were allowed to practice their faith under dictator Muammar Qaddafi. But since the strongman was ousted from power, and ultimately killed, Muslim fundamentalists have increasingly filled the power void. Last month, the national assembly voted in favor of making Koranic law, or Shariah, the basis of all legislative decisions, meaning Islam will shape all future banking, criminal and financial cases.