Mahmoud Badr, a leader of the Tamarud youth movement (Photo: Reuters)
Egypt's Rebel movement called on Egyptians to hold 'Eid' prayers – performed on the first day after Islamic holy month of Ramadan ends – in public squares on Thursday to continue the revolution and show "support for the military's backing of it."
Rebel spearheaded a viral campaign that propelled millions of Egyptians onto the streets on 30 June in protest of former president Mohamed Morsi. Shortly after, the military intervened and deposed the elected Islamist leader.
In a statement on its website, Rebel called for Eid prayers to be held in major squares across Egypt, saying that this year's post-Ramadan feast "is witness to the continuing revolution after its second wave on 30 June."
"The Rebel campaign calls on the Egyptian masses to congregate during Thursday's Eid prayers to reject foreign intervention in Egypt's affairs and support national independence, preventing a particular faction from overtaking areas for Eid prayer," the statement read, referring to the Muslim Brotherhood – from which Morsi hails – and its allies.
Foreign envoys have visited Egypt over the past weeks in a bid to help resolve the political deadlock between Egypt's transitional rulers and the Brotherhood.
Former president Morsi is being held incommunicado in an unknown location and faces charges of espionage and breaking out of jail before his ascent to the presidency in 2012. Many other top Brotherhood figures have been arrested on charges of inciting violence.
The United States and the European Union have repeatedly called for Morsi's release. A US senators' delegation left Egypt on Tuesday night after it became clear that a deal could not be reached to resolve the impasse.
The Muslim Brotherhood and its allies have remained defiant in their demand that Morsi be reinstated, calling for a complete reversal of what they describe as the "bloody coup."
The interim government, which is composed of many figures from Morsi's opposition, has attempted to reconcile with the Brotherhood. However, it has been equally adamant in adhering to the military-sponsored political roadmap which includes amending the constitution and early parliamentary and presidential elections.
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