Friday, Sep 14, 2012
Cairo: Hundreds of Egyptians on Friday gathered in central Cairo to condemn a US-made film, in a mass protest shunned by major Islamist groups, including the powerful Muslim Brotherhood.
“We sacrifice ourselves for you, the Prophet of God,” chanted the demonstrators in Tahrir Square, a few metres from where police and protesters were clashing for the second day in a row.
More than 250 people, including 35 policemen, were injured in the clashes near the US embassy in Cairo. The police used tear gas to disperse the stone-throwing protesters. Thirty-seven people were arrested in connection with the violence, and are being questioned, security sources said.
The Tahrir protesters carried black banners reading “There is no god but Allah and Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] is His Messenger”, carrying flags associated with Al Qaida. They also chanted anti-US slogans, and demanded the US ambassador be expelled from the country.
In a last-minute boycott, the Muslim Brotherhood said it would not join the Tahrir congregation, and would instead participate in protests outside mosques across Egypt against the anti-Islam film. Likewise, the ultra-conservative Salafist Al Nour Party stayed away from the Tahrir demonstration. Al Nour, which came second to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt’s latest legislative election, attributed its decision to the running clashes between security forces and protesters in the vicinity of Tahrir. “In view of these circumstances [clashes], the congregation may get out of control,” added Al Nour in a statement.
President Mohammad Mursi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, Friday renewed his government’s determination to protect foreign diplomatic missions in Egypt. Mursi, who was visiting Italy, condemned the film, Innocence of Muslims, and called for legal action against its makers.
Mosque preachers used the Friday sermons to condemn the film, while at the same time urging worshippers to avoid a violent backlash.
In a televised sermon, the preacher of Al Azhar, a prestigious Cairo mosque, admonished Egyptians against attacking foreign facilities or personnel. “We have to search for the companies involved in insulting our religion and boycott their goods,” said Shaikh Mohammad Al Mokhtar.
By Ramadan Al Sherbini Correspondent
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
