Planned protest widens Islamist-liberal gap in Egypt

Aug 7, 2011, 13:36 GMT

Cairo - An Egyptian Islamist group slammed Sunday an alliance between liberals and Muslim Sufis to hold a mass protest in central Cairo on Friday to counter calls for the establishment of an Islamic state in Egypt.

'This alliance is aimed at gaining both sides elusive popularity,' said Yussri Hamad, a spokesman for Al-Nour, an ultra-conservative Muslim party legalized after a revolt ousted former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in February.

'We are confident that this alliance is forged between persons who eye popularity and are not seeking Egypt's security and stability,' added Hamad.

A strong showing by Islamists in a mass protest held in Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 29 have raised fears among Egypt's liberals and secularists about the influence of Islamists in post-Mubarak Egypt.

Several liberal forces including the April 6 movement, which was insrumental in the anti-Mubarak revolt, have said they will cooperate with the country's Muslim Sufi groups in holding Friday a mass demonstration to 'assert Egypt's civil state identity.'

Liberals have accused Islamists of 'hijacking' the July 29 demonstration originally called to emphasize national unity in Egypt.