Egyptian Islamists and opponents clash ahead of referendum vote
Islamists supporting Mohammed Morsi clashed with secular opponents in Alexandria after Friday prayers with the ministry of interior reporting 77 inured according to Al Jazeera. Islamists wielded swords and sticks as police forces struggled to keep the rival factions apart firing tear gas.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Egyptian-Islami...
The second round of the referendum on the constitution takes place tomorrow in 17 provinces under military supervisionat polling stations.
The rally and subsequent rioting took place after Salafi preacher Sheik Ahmed el -Mahalawi was trapped inside the man mosque while his supporters battled opponents outside with swords and firebombs last friday. He called the opposition 'followers of heretics".
Mohamed Morsi pushed through 90 new islamist members of the upper house of parliament which until new elections will be the sole legislative body,AP reported. A small number of secular members were also nominated to the Shura council or upper house but the membershipis overwhelmingly islamist.
The first round of the referendumgave the pro Morsi backers of the referendum56 percent of the votes countedbut the turnoutwas low at 32 per cent. Whilst the islamists are likely to win the second round their vctory will not stabalise the situation andsecular and christians are likely to continue to fight to preserve their rights and way of life. The violence in Alexandria shows the depth and resentment of the sectarian divide.
Top opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei urged the public to vote "no," saying, "We know if this constitution is passed, there will be no stability.""This is not the road for stability or democracy," he said in a speech aired Thursday night. "When 45 percent of people say 'no,' it is a strong indication. Some don't read or write, but they are conscious that they should not be tricked."AP reported.
The rally and subsequent rioting took place after Salafi preacher Sheik Ahmed el -Mahalawi was trapped inside the man mosque while his supporters battled opponents outside with swords and firebombs last friday. He called the opposition 'followers of heretics".
Mohamed Morsi pushed through 90 new islamist members of the upper house of parliament which until new elections will be the sole legislative body,AP reported. A small number of secular members were also nominated to the Shura council or upper house but the membershipis overwhelmingly islamist.
The first round of the referendumgave the pro Morsi backers of the referendum56 percent of the votes countedbut the turnoutwas low at 32 per cent. Whilst the islamists are likely to win the second round their vctory will not stabalise the situation andsecular and christians are likely to continue to fight to preserve their rights and way of life. The violence in Alexandria shows the depth and resentment of the sectarian divide.
Top opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei urged the public to vote "no," saying, "We know if this constitution is passed, there will be no stability.""This is not the road for stability or democracy," he said in a speech aired Thursday night. "When 45 percent of people say 'no,' it is a strong indication. Some don't read or write, but they are conscious that they should not be tricked."AP reported.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Egyptian-Islami...