CAIRO: Potential presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabbahi called today for prisoners of conscience sentenced by military trials to be released for the Eid al-Adha holiday. In a video posted on YouTube, Sabbahi called to release Alaa Abdel Fattah, those arrested in connection with the Israeli Embassy incidents, and others so they can spend Eid al-Adha with their families. Abdel Fattah was detained last week in connection with the deadly October 9 Maspiro clashes that left 27 dead. A longtime activist, Abdel Fattah is accused of taking military arms and using them against the military. He has refused to be investigated by the military, as he is a civilian. Sabbahi congratulated the Arab and Islamic nations on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, which means "Festival of Sacrifice" or the "Greater Eid." The four-day feast is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God. Sabbahi, head of the al-Karama Party, greeted the revolutionary nations of the Arab Spring, who revolted against their tyrants. He also called for unity and to unify all demands to strengthen Egypt so Egyptians can continue the victory that began on January 25. Sabbahi voiced his hope that Egyptian would celebrate the next Eid al-Adha in a civil state with a president and parliament elected by free will.
