Dozens of Khairat al-Shater and Hazem Salah Abu Ismail supporters gathered in front of the State Council headquarters Wednesday, where a court is reviewing the validity of the presidential hopefuls' candidacies.
Abu Ismail, a Salafi sheikh, had filed a case against the Interior Ministry to oblige it to issue a certificate declaring the Egyptian nationality of his mother.
Another circuit of the same court is examining a case filed by MP Abul Ezz al-Hariry, who claims the amnesty Brotherhood candidate Shater received is illegal because it was granted by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which does not have the jurisdiction to issue the pardon.
Shater's supporters raised banners reading "Shater is Egypt's renaissance. The Brotherhood and Salafis are one hand." They performed the noon prayers outside the court in a gesture of solidarity with Shater.
Abu Ismail's proponents also performed the prayers on the street and chanted, "God is great!" and "Say a word of truth!" Female protesters chanted, "To you who are asking about the nationality, we say the sheikh's mother is Egyptian."
Several women wearing face veils also gathered in front of the court to support their candidate.
The crowds blocked traffic in the street, Al-Dostour newspaper's website said.
Dozens of protesters from Tanta Flax and Oils Company, Al-Nasr for Steam Boilers and Misr Shebin el-Kom Spinning and Weaving Company also gathered outside the State Council building, waiting for a court ruling on the privatization of their companies.
The State Council is the judiciary body whose courts rule on government disputes.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
