While many of the protesting factions leading the revolution in Egypt apparently hoped for the chance to write an entirely new constitution that might have lessened the governmental role of Islam and allowed for more religious freedom, this week's referendum offered little chance of that. Faced with a single "yes" or "no" on nine amendments that would begin the process of returning to civilian rule, Egyptians voted 3 to 1 to do just that, leaving Islam as the state religion.
The Wall Street Journal argues that this vote, which was opposed by the Christian Copts, bolsters the role of the nation's Islamists.
Egyptians' embrace of a set of proposed constitutional amendments in this weekend's referendum is the clearest sign yet that leadership of the country's revolution may be passing from youthful activists to Islamist religious leaders, according to analysts.
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The results from Saturday's referendum signal a shift in Egypt's continuing revolution: The protest leaders, once celebrated as heroes and martyrs, are no longer the leading voice in Egypt's transition to democracy.In their place are popular religious leaders, whose strong backing of the amendments held sway. These leaders see approval of the amendments as an avenue to political power and a means of preserving the country's Islamic identity.
