Political forces are divided over Friday’s protests calling for the cancellation of the Emergency Law, which was recently amended by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) so as to expand its powers.
The Union of Revolutionary Youth called for the protests this Friday, to be held under the slogan “Friday of Dreadful Silence”, but at least one Islamist group has already stated that it will not take part, and some other parties appear undecided.
“We will not participate in any more million-man demonstrations unless approved by all political forces,” said Jama'a al-Islamiya spokesman Assem Abdel Meguid. “They lead to the hijacking of power.”
Ahmed Abu Baraka, legal advisor to the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, and Khaled Saeed, spokesman of the Salafi Front, said they were as yet undecided. Also undecided are the Islamic Popular Will Front, the Egyptian Trend Party and the Al-Nahda Party.
However, Ayman Nour, founder of the New Ghad Party, and Haitham Abu Khalil, co-founder of the Reyada Party, said they would take part.
Meanwhile, members of the Salafi Front in Alexandria staged a vigil on Monday, protesting the Emergency Law and the trials of civilians before military courts.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
