EGYPT: Muslim Brotherhood supporters rally to show their backing for President Mohamed Mursi as he faces widespread opposition to a controversial new constitution

Record ID: 213827

  • Title: EGYPT: Muslim Brotherhood supporters rally to show their backing for President Mohamed Mursi as he faces widespread opposition to a controversial new constitution
  • Date: 11th December 2012
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (DECEMBER 11, 2012) (REUTERS) MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD SUPPORTERS CARRYING EGYPTIAN FLAG MARCH TO RALLYING POINT NOT FAR FROM PRESIDENTIAL PALACE VARIOUS OF LARGE CROWD OF BROTHERHOOD SUPPORTERS CHANTING IN FRONT OF STAGE FLAGS AND SYMBOLS HELD ALOFT BY CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD SUPPORTER, AYMAN AHMED ABDEL GHANI, SAYING: ''(The opposition says) this constitution has been rejected by the people, but I would like it to be the people themselves that say that; for the people to have their say. We should not say the people are illiterate and therefore unable to vote or that the people are ignorant and don't deserve to vote. These illiterate people are our mothers and fathers and our sisters and uncles and aunts; this is the people.'' LARGE CROWD IN FRONT OF STAGE SUPPORTERS CHANTING VARIOUS OF CROWD SEEN FROM STAGE IMAM SPEAKING ON STAGE WITH CROWD BEHIND CROWD / MAN HOLDING COPY OF DRAFT CONSTITUTION ALOFT WOMEN HOLDING PLACARDS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT MOHAMED MURSI MOSQUE'S MINARET / BROTHERHOOD SUPPORTERS IN CROWD
  • Embargoed: 26th December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2O7NOMZAXZXUA0YPV45R2B3EQ
  • Story Text: Thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters arrived at Raba'a Mosque in Cairo's Nasr City, rallying in support of President Mohamed Mursi on Tuesday (December 11).
    Mursi faces ongoing criticism expressed through large demonstrations in Cairo as well as other cities and towns around the country.
    He has called a referendum on a controversial new constitution for December 15, but critics say the process was rushed and the plurality of the nation was not reflected in the document.
    Brotherhood supporters argue the people themselves, not opposition sources should decide on the constitution through a democratic vote.
    ''(The opposition says) this constitution has been rejected by the people, but I would like it to be the people themselves that say that; for the people to have their say. We should not say the people are illiterate and therefore unable to vote or that the people are ignorant and don't deserve to vote. These illiterate people are our mothers and fathers and our sisters and uncles and aunts; this is the people,'' said Brotherhood supporter Ayman Ahmed Abdel Ghani.
    Mursi has made several concessions over recent days, committing to rescind a decree putting him above legal challenge if the people reject the proposed constitution in the referendum and saying that changes can be made to controversial constitutional clauses once the new parliament is elected.
    But thousands are expected to march on the presidential palace later on Tuesday, some demanding Mursi resign.
    There is a danger that the violent scenes witnessed one week ago may be repeated when hand to hand fighting between opponents and supporters of the president led to six deaths and hundreds of injuries.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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