Sudanese doubt call for Islamic rule

Sudanese President Omar Bashir is calling for a \"100 percent Islamic\" constitution, an echo of the battle cry he used to come to power a quarter century ago. His actions are being met with skepticism in Sudan, The Christian Science Monitor reported. Sudan has been operating under an Islamic-based constitution since Bashir began ruling 23 years ago. During that time, the country has dealt with a myriad of problems. South Sudan seceded a year ago, taking 75 percent of the north\'s income. Inflation is at 37 percent. The currency has been devalued, and austerity measures sparked modest street protests. Not the least -- Bashir is wanted for genocide in the Darfur region by the International Criminal Court. \"When things deteriorate, we will have a constitution shaped by the president\'s view, but not by what Islam is,\" said Khartoum attorney Adil Abdelghani. \"When he feels he needs a tool to suppress his opponents, or sees a use for religion, then he will [use] it.\" Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi helped put Bashir in power, and served as his attorney general. Now a critic of the Khartoum government, Turabi says Bashir\'s call for an Islamic constitution is \"just another slogan.\"