Members of the Iraqi Governing Council took a giant step towards democracy Monday with the signing of a new constitution. The constitution is important to the people of Iraq because it establishes new laws and goals for the country. The interim, or temporary, constitution paves the way for Iraq to hold elections, approve a permanent constitution and eventually return Iraq to a self-ruled country.

To Mohammed Bahrululum, president of the Governing Council, the constitution means: "A new, free, democratic Iraq that protects the dignity of the human being and protects human rights."

The constitution calls for Iraq's many different ethnic and religious groups to share power. Under the new constitution, women must make up at least 25 percent of the elected legislature.

Violence Continues in Iraq

The constitution was supposed to be signed last Monday, but widespread violence delayed the process. At least 180 people died when multiple bombs exploded in Baghdad, Iraq's capital, and Karbala, a major city. The bombs went off at Shiite Muslim holy sites on a day of religious observance. Shiite Muslims make up about 60 percent of Iraq's 25 million people.

Who is being blamed for the bombings? Many Iraqis believe that terrorist groups from other countries may be responsible. Some say the attacks may be a way to cause more trouble between the Shiites and the Sunnis, another Muslim group in Iraq.

There has been a long history of tension and violence between the Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq. Even though Sunnis make up most of the Iraqi population, they have traditionally had less power than the Sunnis. Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is a Sunni Muslim. Under his rule, Shiites were not given any leadership roles within the government.

Signing of the constitution was also delayed because many Shiites said the constitution gives too much power to the Kurds, Iraq's largest minority group. In the end, Shiite leaders agreed to sign the constitution to help unite the nation and encourage democracy.

An Important Milestone

President George W. Bush called the signing of the constitution a "historic milestone in the Iraqi people's long journey from tyranny and violence to liberty and peace." The U.S. plans to turn power over to a new Iraqi government on June 30. It will not be an easy process. Said Secretary of State Colin Powell: "Certainly there will be new issues raised and difficulties to overcome" along the way.

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