Egypt uprising: Islamists lead Tahrir Square rally

[Gerald]

Tens of thousands of people have packed Cairo's Tahrir Square, after the first call by Islamist leaders for nationwide demonstrations since President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in February.

The demonstrators - dominated by Muslim Brotherhood supporters - are calling for an Islamic state and Sharia law.

Correspondents say the rallies will be a worrying development for secularists.

The Brotherhood is the most organised political force in Egypt, although it was not prominent in the revolution.

Tensions have been running high between Egypt's Islamist and secular groups, who are at odds over the transition to democracy in the Arab world's most populated country.
Turning point?

Liberal groups first want guarantees of a constitution that will protect religious freedom and personal rights, whereas Islamists want speedy elections and a recognition of Islam - in one form or another - in the new Egyptian state.

Now, the Islamists want their voice to be heard and are showing their muscle for the first time since Mr Mubarak stepped down on 11 February, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo.

Although the Muslim Brotherhood - Egypt's oldest political party - can turn out huge crowds by rallying its supporters at mosques, it does not necessarily represent the majority of Egyptians and is predicted to win around 20% of the vote in an election, our correspondent says.

There was little sign of any secular groups at Friday's rally, he says, adding that it will be interesting to see how they re-group after today's events.

Since early July, the mainly secular protesters had camped out in Tahrir Square - the epicentre of protests that toppled Mr Mubarak - to denounce the ruling military council over the slow pace of reform.

Islamist groups had for the most part stayed away from the sit-in. Last week, they held their own demonstration and accused the Tahrir protesters of going against the country's "Islamic identity", the AFP news agency reports.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14341089


Note: 29 July 2011 Last updated at 11:03 GMT

[Castout]

Yes the Muslims are taking over Arab states.


And that Norwegian mad man was right Europe will be next and after that da whole wide world.

[MH]

Originally Posted by Castout

Yes the Muslims are taking over Arab states.

That's good point.
It would look better if Arabs where taking over Muslim states.

[Rockstar]

Gee, never saw that one coming. Who would have thought that freedom and democracy could be found in Sharia Law. .



.

[Castout]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Gee, never saw that one coming. Who would have thought that freedom and democracy could be found in Sharia Law. .
.

it's also non existent in country like Singapore. It's not the ideology it's the regime.

[Castout]

Originally Posted by MH

That's good point.
It would look better if Arabs where taking over Muslim states.

Those Arab states were never Islamic states to begin with. I mean they were led by atheistic fascists

Nor will they turn into Islamic states.

[MH]

Originally Posted by Castout

Those Arab states were never Islamic states to begin with. I mean they were led by atheistic fascists

Nor will they turn into Islamic states.

Insha Allah

[Castout]

Originally Posted by MH

Insha Allah

Insha Allah indeed. It's not the language that matters but what it means. It simply means God willing.

You can even recite Our father in heaven in Arabic. Wouldn't know the difference between that or A Koran quote.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Castout

it's also non existent in country like Singapore. It's not the ideology it's the regime.

In case of totalitarian ideologies, its both.

Isn't this a story that after many weeks of sitting down with the army the Muslim brotherhood have decided to protest somewhere that lots of of people have already been protesting.
It is hardly leading the rally, its having their own one as they felt left out as so many other Egyptions had been protesting for ages.