Egypt: Islamists Dominate Tahrir Square, Debate Continues on Election Guidelines

Thousands of protesters gathered in downtown Cairo on Friday in one of the largest Islamist demonstrations, which was an effort to show political unity among Muslim groups.  Islamist groups participating in the demonstration called for the establishment of Islamic law in Egypt and protested against secularist politicians that have been working to prevent them from participating in the drafting of the new constitution.  Protesters chanted, “The people want to implement Sharia.”  Demonstrators were members of religious movements that ranged from conservatives, the Salafists, and members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Nearly 100 armed men rode motorcycles and cars through the town of el-Arish on Friday waving flags of Islamic slogans and firings guns in the air.  According to security forces, sig people were killed in a clash between an armed group and security forces in the north of Egypt’s Sinai region.

Alternatively, former President Hosni Mubarak, and his sons Alaa and Gamal, businessman Hussein Salem and ex-minister of interior Habib El-Adley’s trials will be held at the police academy in New Cairo.  Egypt’s local Development Minister Mohamed Ahmed Attiya reported on Saturday that women will not be included in the gubernatorial reshuffle of Egypt’s cabinet.

Presidential candidate Amr Moussa demanded on his twitter account that the ruling military force, SCAF (Supreme Council of the Armed Forces) should set a timeline for the elections.  He tweeted that the dates for the parliamentary and presidential elections must be set as soon as possible in an effort to decrease any uncertainty.