Leaders of different Islamist groups are in disagreement over the idea of conducting religious rituals in Cairo's Tahrir Square during Ramadan following the success of last Friday's protest.
While Jama'a al-Islamiya said it would conduct Ramadan night prayers in Tahrir, other Salafis said prayers should be conducted at mosques and not in public squares.
Tarek El Zomor, Jama'a al-Islamiya's media spokesperson, said the group has decided to hold Ramadan rituals in Tahrir, claiming that the square should not be monopolized by any single power and calling on Islamists to participate in the rituals.
He added that Islamists realized the gravity of the mistake they made when they withdrew from the streets and left them to leftist and secular powers after the 19 March referendum.
El Zomor emphasized that the Jama'a al-Islamiya will conduct all requisite rituals in Tahrir and called for the conducting of Eid prayers in the square as well.
Khaled Saeed, spokesperson for the Salafi Front, said that though Islamists are planning on protesting in Tahrir again next Friday and breaking the fast there, they would not partake in the rituals.
"We are against the conduct of religious rituals in the square because they should be at mosques," he said. "Tahrir Square should be used to call for freedom and justice."
He added that the group will take part in any protest called for by Islamists during Ramadan.
Mohamed Yossri, spokesperson for the Salafi Nour Party, said he is against sit-ins during Ramadan. He added that prayers will be conducted inside mosques in order for traffic to flow normally.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
