Several political groups and parties have decided to postpone the million man protest in Tahrir Square scheduled for Friday, 12 August.

Out of the 56 parties and movements taking part in the event, 26 have decided to move it to the following Friday and intend to invite Prime Minister Essam Sharaf to attend a mass breaking of the fast meal in which both Muslims and Christians would participate.

Several liberal and leftists political parties and movements, along with Sufi orders, had suggested holding a million man protest on Friday under the banner "For the love of Egypt." The demonstration would start at sunset prayers and ftar (Ramadan breakfast) and run until midnight. As well as the meal, several cultural and religious activities would be held, such as a Christian mass, to emphasise the unity of Egyptian society.

Among the political parties and movements calling for a delay are The National Association for Change, The Adl (Justice) Party, the ElBaradei support campaign, The Egyptian Democratic Social Party, The Ghad Party’s "Ayman Nour Front" and the Egyptian Communist Party.

The other 30 parties and movements have not yet reached a decision on whether or not to move the event to the following Friday.

The Tahrir Egyptian Sufi Party is insisting on proceeding with the protest on 12 August as planned. They are supported in this by the April 6th Youth Movement’s "Ahmed Maher Front”, which will nevertheless hold a meeting today to discuss its position in the wake of the call for a delay.

Meanwhile however, the Supreme Council of Sufi Orders has warned against staging the protest, describing it as a danger to Egypt.