CAIRO: The Free Islamic Coalition (FIC), the only Islamic political group that has joined protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, said they expect no violence or clashes this coming Friday when other Islamic groups including Gama'a Islamiya, declared plans of marching to Tahrir on Friday to asses “the Islamic identity of the country” and support Islamic law, or Shari'a, as the source of governing. Said Abdel Fatah, the FIC general coordinator told Bikyamasr.com on Friday that the coalition could play a “mediating role” between the protesters in Tahrir and the Islamic groups if needed and added that they do not foresee any clashes or violence erupting. The FIC has joined Tahrir's demands in reviving the claims of the revolution unlike other Islamic and Salafist groups, which refused to join the sit-in that they coined as “liberal.” The FIC has set up a stage in the square and is in solidarity with other groups after embracing the same demands, including of ridding the country of former President Hosni Mubarak's remaining affiliates. The FIC is also calling for the release of the remaining Islamic political prisoners, which they say number around 80, who are “still suffering in Torah prison.” They distributed fliers in Tahrir square calling for their release and claims they have been subjected to “immense torture” during ousted President Mubarak's rule and called on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to free them. Last Friday, Gama'a Islamia held a large meeting following the noon prayer where they called for a march to Tahrir this coming Friday, titled the “Friday of Stability.” Assem Abdel Maged, spokesperson for the group called the protesters in Tahrir “liberal traitors” and called for the need to clear the square from their sit-in. Abdel Maged's statements caused a stir among political groups in Egypt and drew massive criticism aimed at the Islamic group. The statements have also created a state fear of a possible confrontation between the supporters of the Gama'a and the other Salafists groups that announced their participation on Friday and the protesters already in the square. Abdel Fatah told Bikyamasr.com that Abdel Maged's statements only represent himself and that the FIC “denounces these comments completely.” “We are not a Salafist group or the Gama'a Islamiya. We are an Islamic coalition and we are open to all other political groups in Egypt,” he explained. “We have been here [in Tahrir] since July 8 and will not leave until the revolution's demands are met,” he added. The coordinator sees the FIC possibly involved in bringing points of views closer if needed, between the protesters and the Islamic groups next Friday. In related news and in preparation for Friday, The Egyptian Islamic Youth Coalition, another Salafist group, announced on the Salafi News Network, that they are providing free bus rides from Alexandria to Cairo for their followers to join in. Protesters in Tahrir, who are suffering from violent clashes with Abbassiya residents during a march to the SCAF headquarters on Saturday evengin, resulting in over 300 injuries, have not yet to issue a statement regarding what they plan to do on Friday, however voices from the square say they will remain in Tahrir as long as needed and strongly condemned the Gama'a Islamiya statements about them. Abdel Maged called protesters in Tahrir “thugs and drug users.” His statements were immediately criticized by most of the Islamic political groups. The Freedom and Justice party, the off-shoot party of the Muslim Brotherhood, rejected the accusations, saying that his talk was an oxymoron “where he calls for unity and stability but asks to clear the square and calls the people there traitors,” commented Azzab Mostafa, a member of the high committee of the party. The Muslim Brotherhood, The Salafist Front, al-Nour – a Salafist party – and others have joined the Abdel Maged critics and agreed that “it does not express the Islamic current opinions.” BM
