Thursday’s papers: 25 January starts early

Days ahead of the 25 January revolution's second anniversary, Thursday’s papers report on ultras' protests yesterday as a preview of the larger demonstrations expected Friday to commemorate the start of the revolution.

 

The football fans group staged day-long protests demanding justice for their fallen comrades who died when chaos broke out during a football match in Port Said last year.

 

State newspaper Al-Ahram reports on the ultras' protests with criticism of the group for cutting off roads and for the state for not stopping them. The paper leads with the headline, "The ultras paralyze Cairo traffic and trains in the absence of the state."

 

Demanding a final verdict in the Port Said Stadium violence case, the ultras surrounded the stock market building and blocked a metro line and the 6th of October Bridge.

 

Considering the ultras' protest the first signs of the rage that will be displayed on the revolution anniversary Friday, the papers lay out the plans of the opposition and the Muslim Brotherhood for the day.

 

Privately owned newspaper Al-Shorouk reports that a Muslim Brotherhood source said the ruling group plans to have gatherings close to the places of protest Friday, ready to intervene in case the protests turn violent.

 

The paper also reports that while opposition forces plan to stage large protests demanding the dismissal of the Cabinet and the dismantlement of the Islamist-dominated Shura Council, Islamists plan to demonstrate in commemoration of the revolution, warning of an Islamic revolution to counter attempts to overthrow the current legitimacy.

 

Islamic columnist Fahmy al-Howeidy writes in Al-Shorouk, "Let the Muslim Brotherhood stay home." In his column, Howeidy asks the Brotherhood not to demonstrate in the streets Friday to avoid chances for clashes with opposition groups that could turn violent.

 

In what it calls a special and historic issue, opposition newspaper Al-Tahrir dedicates its issue to proving the Brotherhood has sold out the revolution. 

The paper starts with a list, stating, "How the Muslim Brotherhood betrayed the revolution in four steps." The paper says the Brotherhood first negotiated with the past regime prior to its downfall, then won elections at the expense of revolutionaries. The third step, according to the paper, was killing terrorizing and killing revolutionaries, then finally capitalizing on the blood of the martyrs to win more elections.

 

The paper then, assuming that its views are shared by the masses, announces, "Why everyone discovered the lies of the Brotherhood." The paper's answer was that the Brotherhood insisted to continuously tell naive and obvious lies that gave them away.

 

In contrast, the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party highlights the positive ahead of the revolution's anniversary. The paper headlines its front page, "Egypt is changing." Throughout the issue, the paper lists all the aspects in which Egypt has enhanced, in its view.

 

In politics, the paper states that the number of parties has doubled. In economy, it mentions increased pensions and wages that prove the economic policies have been serving citizens. The paper states that Egypt has reclaimed its leading regional and international role. 

 

And in media, the paper says the government has allowed unlimited criticism of itself.