Protesters demanding the reinstatement of deposed president Mohamed Morsy and condemning his removal by the army are bent on celebrating the holy Islamic feast of Eid al-Fitr in protest squares. In a statement released by the Muslim Brotherhood's website Ikhwanweb early Friday, the Anti-Coup Pro-Legitimacy National Alliance applauded and congratulated the "tens of millions of Egyptians" who went to Rabaa Al-Adaweya and al-Nahda Squares to participate in "Victory Day activities" on the first day of Eid. In the statement, the Alliance called on "the masses of the great Egyptian people" to march on to the "legitimacy squares" after Friday prayers. The Alliance's statement, which concludes by saying, "God save Egypt, its people, and its army from the wicked deeds of some of its leaders," comes in defiance of the government's calls and vows to disperse the protests and end all pro-Morsy sit-ins. Numerous marches from different parts of Cairo and Giza are expected to head to the two main sit-in squares after Friday prayers. According to a BBC report, there were no signs that the government would put into action its threat to evacuate the Islamist protesters on Wednesday. The report said thousands of women and children were present at Rabaa al-Adaweya and al-Nahda squares in Cairo and Giza on the first day of Eid. Balloons were seen flying over the protests. Egypt's interim president said Wednesday that the protests held by Morsy backers were not peaceful, noting that diplomatic efforts made during visits by Arab and Western officials to Cairo last week failed to bring about a solution to the political crisis.
