Friday protest in Cairo fails to pull large crowds

Today’s protest in Egypt failed to gather a large number of protesters Today’s protest in Egypt failed to gather a large number of protesters in opposition to the reinstatement of emergency law. Although thirty parties and political movements participated, only about three thousand people gathered in front of the American university in Cairo.
The revolution’s infamous speaker, Imam Sheikh Mathhar Shahin was noticeably absent for the first time, but was replaced by Sheikh Joma’a mohammed Ali, who condemned the military council’s decision to reactivate emergency law.
“The revolution’s demands have not been achieved. We have seen an increase in military trials and a return to emergency law.”
“The military council has violated its promises to hand over power, and is hinting that it will stay in power in the long term.”
Sheikh Ali accused the Mubarak trial judge, Ahmed Refaat, of collusion with military council members after he postponed the testimony of Musheer Tantawi and Al-Fareek Sami Anan.
Sheikh Ali said that torture continues to take place in military prisons, despite the military council’s assurances that detainees are being well treated.
He highlighted the danger of the return of emergency law.
Sheikh Ali blamed Mubarak’s former-ruling party, the National Democratic Party, for the attack of the Israeli embassy last week.
Emergency law was instated after the attack, which led to the withdrawal of the Israeli diplomatic contingent from Cairo.
Sheikh Ali called for the introduction of a law against “treachery” and for the restructure of the interior ministry.
He criticised the military council’s decision to close down Al-Jazeera Egypt.
Participants at the protest demanded that the military council hands power to a democratic institute and sets a firm deadline for legislative and presidential elections.
The protesters allege that security and stability will only return to Egypt after the elections have taken place.
The Muslim Brotherhood did not participate in today’s elections, with Mohammed Saed Al-Ktani, the Secretary General of the party’s political wing saying that the party would not participate because Egypt is facing a highly sensitive situation, which all Egyptians need to unite behind.