Islamists demand public committees protect women and children Egypt's al Jamaa al Islamiyah bloc has announced it will delay its Friday demonstration to February 15, amid escalating security tension in the country. Al Jamaa al Islamiyah's spokesperson Safwat Abdel Ghani made the announcement during a press conference adding: "The protest will take place in a peaceful manner. The protection of the state and its people is in the best interest of everyone." A meeting then followed the press conference to discuss details about the upcoming demonstration.
On the recent controversy surrounding brutality against protesters by security forces, Abdel Ghani said: "We see no clear sense of security, only a state of confusion," adding that killings or beatings were “individual cases and not systemic."
Criticising the National Salvation Front [NSF], Abdel Ghani said: "They are not serious about eschewing violence. They incite violence in the service of their interests and turn a blind eye to the real violence."
"Efforts should be directed at compromise, not revolt" the al Jamaa al Islamiyah spokesman added.
Meanwhile, the group's prominent leader, Abbud al-Zumar, claimed it was “inappropriate” to topple a democratically elected president. “A few thousand people should not be allowed to replace him,” he said.
"We have come here today to adopt a new position,” al-Zumar added. "It is our duty to act to save the country and this must be done in a peaceful manner, not for the purpose of wresting power."
Al Jamaa al Islamiyah also appealed to revolutionary forces to adhere to the principles of non-violence, whilst combating "thuggery and violence."