CAIRO: A large number of demonstrators have started heading to Mostafa Mahmoud Mosque in Cairo's Mohandessin in order to join the rally to Tahrir Square that is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. The protesters demand holding early presidential elections and unseating President Mohamed Mursi on the anniversary of his inauguration, June 30. They staged a demonstration outside the mosque, waving Egypt's flags and chanting against the Muslim Brotherhood, reported the state-owned news agency. Thousands upon thousands of Egyptians are leaving their homes on Sunday and heading to main squares across the country in mass demonstrations aimed at calling for the end of President Mohamed Morsi's presidency on its one-year anniversary. Despite fears of violence and reports of Muslim Brotherhood supporters wielding shields and weapons, the opposition forces have come together in what many are describing as the most momentous day since the 18 days of protests ousted former dictator Hosni Mubarak. Last year on this day, the main Tahrir Square in central Cairo was ablaze with joy after Morsi had beaten former Mubarak top official Ahmed Shafik in a closely fought election. The military was gone and Egypt appeared heading toward stability, but that has changed dramatically in the 12 months since Morsi took control, with the Muslim Brotherhood and conservative Islamists attempting to take over the country and, in what activists have repeatedly told Bikyanews.com "want to Islamize the country without our consent." But on Sunday, thousands are saying enough, backed by the Tamarod, or "Rebel", movement, who garnered over 22 million signatures calling for the end of Morsi's tenure. The number of signees is much higher than the number of votes earned by Morsi in last year's election, but Morsi has been defiant in defense in recent days, refusing any criticism and even blaming the country's ills on dead people in a speech last Wednesday. BN
