Ahead of revolution anniversary, Egyptians take to the streets

Members of Egyptian opposition groups took to the streets on Friday in at least 13 Egyptian governorates. The National Anti-Coup and Pro-Legitimacy Alliance have called for the completion of the 25 January Revolution, reported Anadolu.

Correspondents across Egypt said that demonstrations were held in Hilwan Gardens, Six October, Kirdasah and Saft Al-Laban in Cairo. There were also demonstrations in Banha and Qalyoub in Al-Qalyoubia, north of the capital, as well as other locations countrywide. Under the revolutionary slogan of “Bread, freedom and social justice” the demonstrators held red cards aloft as they called on the government of Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to step down.

According to Anadolu, there were clashes between Muslim Brotherhood members and police in Al-Adwa Village, the birthplace of ousted President Mohamed Morsi, who was the first freely-elected Egyptian head of state. No casualties were reported.

Meanwhile, mosque Imams used their Friday sermons to tell the people of Egypt not to take to the streets or take part in protests marking the 25 January Revolution in the run-up to its 5th anniversary. Sermons are written and distributed to all mosques in Egypt by government officials.

The Egyptian army said that it was on alert to deal with “potential hostility and threats” in order to “protect the people and vital facilities.” The army and police have been ordered to cooperate in order to “undermine attempts to violate the law and affect security and stability.”