A state of stillness prevailed in Tahrir Square before prayers on Friday morning, with the presence of Central Security Forces and military police remaining strong. Thirty movements and political parties announced their intentions this week to stage a large protest in Tahrir Square today, called “For the Love of Egypt.” Some Sufi orders and political movements have disagreed over whether to postpone the protest until the following week. The Azmiyah Order, Egyptian Liberation Party, April 6 Youth Movement, and Maspiro Youth Union previously claimed they would stage the protest today. April 6 Youth Movement Coordinator Ahmed Maher told Al-Masry Al-Youm that they were not planning a protest in the traditional sense of the word, but rather a gathering where participants would break their fasts together and watch artistic performances. He added that the gathering would not be directed against anyone. Sufis have hoped to publicly respond to the massive protest staged by Islamists in Tahrir on 29 July, in which they asserted the supremacy of Islamic law. Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmy held a meeting two days before the planned protest with the parties' representatives to try to persuade them to postpone the protest, but some forces insisted on holding the event. Transalated from the Arabic Edition
