Islamist group asks churches 'to protect Egypt' during Morsi protests

Ahram Online, Monday 3 Dec 2012

A statement by the hard-line Islamist group Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya calls on Tuesday's anti-constitution protesters to avoid using violence and asks 'Christians to maintain the peace'

Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya
Nasr Abdelsalam, Head of the Building and Development Party

Islamist group Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya and its Building and Development Party called in a statement Monday on anti-Morsi protesters to abstain from using violence at Tuesday's demonstrations against the draft constitution, while stressing its support for freedom of assembly.

On Sunday, several Egyptian political parties and groups have issued a joint statement announcing their intention to peacefully march to the presidential palace in Cairo at 5pm on Tuesday to voice opposition to President Mohamed Morsi's recent decisions and the current draft constitution.

Groups calling for the protests include the National Salvation Front, a recently-formed umbrella group led by former presidential candidates Hamdeen Sabbahi and Amr Moussa, as well as reform campaigner Mohamed ElBaradei.

Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya warned political forces who are protesting on Tuesday against causing a "state of chaos and bullying" whether in Tahrir Square or at the presidential palace.

The statement claimed there are people "who seek to violate government buildings, police stations, or to clash with the Presidential Guard in an attempt to oust President Mohamed Morsi and re-establish the former regime."

Meanwhile, the statement called on all churches to perform their role in maintaining the security of the country "especially as there will be a lot of Coptic organisations at tomorrow's protests."

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