The mood in Tahrir Square was one of optimism and celebration following Mohamed Morsy's speech to hundreds of thousands who had congregated after noon prayers to hear the president-elect.
A sea of Egyptian flags were waved, fireworks lit up the sky, Morsy-supporters chanted "Allahu akbar!" (God is greatest!) while others blew horns, and girls posed for photos with Muslim Brotherhood flags. Street vendors sold Morsy T-shirts and Brotherhood memorabilia.
Morsy had just taken a popular oath in the square, promising to free civilians held in military prisons, to represent all Egyptians and to respect artists and intellectuals. In a theatrical move, he left the podium to stand closer to the masses, opened his jacket and showed people how he was not wearing a bullet-proof vest and that he was not afraid from anyone.
Some praised the fact that their president is originally a low key figure.
Yehia al-Sawy, a student in the Brotherhood Youth Movement, commented that Morsy is not an outsider to the square. "It's not like he parachuted into the square. Dr. Morsy has been here a number of times, along with his children," Sawy said.
Sawy pointed out that Morsy was arrested during the early days of the revolution, and upon his release came to visit the square. "He wasn't in the media spotlight like others including Mohamed al-Beltagy or Essam al-Arian. But he did come here and express his support for the revolutionaries in the square."
Others accused the speech of not being ambitious.
Another student, who goes by al-Suesi, said, "I don't think that Morsy's speech is over-ambitious regarding his efforts to stamp out corruption and realize social justice. Where there is a will there is a way," he said. Suesi belongs to the April 6 Youth Movement, which endorsed Morsy. "We will struggle together to bring down the [Supreme Council of the Armed Forces'] addendum to the Constitutional Declaration."
SCAF issued an addendum to the March 2011 Constitutional Declaration, assuming legislative power after Parliament's dissolution, in addition to giving itself other responsibilities.
Hundreds of youth marched around Tahrir Square to Parliament and back chanting, "Down with the Field Marshall" and "Down with military rule." Many conversations around the square expressed optimism in the fact that Morsy is the country's first civilian, non-military president.
Hany Mohsen, a middle-aged taxi driver parked outside the square, said, "I feel anxious and unsettled regarding the future of this country." He added, "Morsy may not be able to deal with all these challenges and difficulties which the country has accumulated over the past 30 years."
"Morsy doesn't look very presidential. He looks more like a barber or something like that," the cab driver said, smiling.
