Egypt's imams protest junta's dictates

Mon Feb 28, 2011

Thousands of imams have staged a demonstration in Egypt against what they call state security agencies' excessive interventions.

The protesters gathered in front of the offices of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on Sunday, saying they have been dictated by the ruling junta about what to preach during Friday Prayers' sermons.

The demonstrators also said they would submit a list of demands to the military council, stating that the popular revolution must give them the power to speak freely.

The regime of ousted President Hosni Mubarak used to dictate Friday Prayers' sermons as well. It used mosques to dissuade citizens from taking part in anti-government protests.

Indignation has been mounting at the army since it took power after eighteen days of pro-democracy demonstrations led to the overthrow of Mubarak's three-decade despotic rule on February 11.

Egyptians, fearing their revolution will be hijacked by those who have served Mubarak's regime, have been constantly demanding that the military hand over power to a civilian government elected by the people.

In response to people's growing protests, the army was forced to form a new constitution to reform some of the basic rules that have been in place for thirty years.

The ruling military council is reportedly going to call for a referendum on constitutional changes by the end of March.

Conditions have not completely returned to normalcy in the country. Some public sector laborers are still on strike for poor working conditions and low salaries.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/167417.html.